ACT research: November Classes 5-8 preliminary orders healthy

Demand for commercial vehicles was healthy in November as 58,500 total NA Classes 5-8 orders were booked, up 48 percent from a year ago. Over the past 12 months, NA Classes 5-8 net orders have totaled 583,200 units, representing the strongest 12-month period of NA Classes 5-8 order placement since the twelve months ending in of December 2006.

“On the heels of October’s second best ever Class 8 order month, November follows with the fifth-best month on the all-time list. The 41,000 NA Class 8 net orders in November (37.7k SA) represent the convergence of a number of trends that continue to drive healthy order activity. These include rising economic activity, pent-up demand, strong new equipment fuel economy gains, and most importantly, rising freight rates, which bolster carrier profitability,” said Kenny Vieth, ACT’s president and senior analyst.

Vieth said that November’s preliminary 17,500 NA Classes 5-7 net orders was somewhat of a letdown following on the heels of a strong three-month period of order placement. "November’s medium duty orders were down 4 percent compared to last November and fell 22 percent below October’s strong intake. Through YTD, Classes 5-7 net orders have been booked at a 218,400 unit annual rate (218.5k SAAR)," he added.