According to forecasting firm FTR, its preliminary data shows that North American Class 8 truck net orders reached 26,255 units last month. FTR said that marked “an impressive 41% year-over-year increase and the best June since 2005.”
Class 8 orders have now notched 17 consecutive months with year-over-year increases, FTR stated.
“OEMs continue to increase build rates in response to solid demand for Class 8 trucks with June order activity putting additional pressure on supply,” per the firm. In addition, FTR’s figures show that Class 8 orders for the latest six-month period through June annualize to 333,000 units.
“June’s numbers are significant, especially considering that order activity typically slows when summer starts,” pointed out Don Ake, FTR’s vice president of Commercial Vehicles.
“It wouldn’t have been surprising to see Class 8 orders under 20,000 units for June, so a 26,000 level is outstanding,” he continued. “FTR has been forecasting a very robust second half of the year and the positive June numbers confirm our outlook.”
FTR noted that final data for June will be available later in the month as part of its North American Commercial Truck & Trailer Outlook service.
