Net medium-duty truck orders rose to 19,285 units, up 35% over last month and October 2011, according to the State of the Industry report, recently released by ACT Research Co. (ACT).
Class 8 orders rose “meaningfully above trend,” with 23,431 units, according to Kenny Vieth, ACT’s president & senior analyst.
“With housing-related activity surprising on the high side the past several months, medium-duty truck orders rose to their highest level since the start of the cycle,” Vieth said.
“Underscoring the increase in activity was the fact that the improvement occurred in the face of electoral and fiscal uncertainty and despite Hurricane Sandy disrupting business up and down the East Coast at month’s end.”