Preliminary Class 8 Orders Down 9% in January: FTR

Feb. 7, 2012
FTR Associates’ preliminary January Class 8 truck total net orders are 24,906 units for all major North American OEMs—down 9% from January 2011 and down 17% month-over-month from December

FTR Associates’ preliminary January Class 8 truck total net orders are 24,906 units for all major North American OEMs—down 9% from January 2011 and down 17% month-over-month from December.

Although current orders show negative comparisons, the January activity is similar to that reported over the last six months and, at close to 25,000 units, remains in positive territory.

“January’s orders were firmly within our expectations,” said Jonathan Starks, FTR’s Director of Transportation Analysis. “We continue to expect strong order activity as we finish the first quarter in preparation for the modestly robust freight environment that we anticipate for 2012.

“The three-month annualized rate of 300,000 orders is slightly above our current 2012 production outlook, but well below the highs seen back in 2005 and 2006. Back then we peaked at an annualized order rate of over 550,000 units and production hit 372,000 vehicles. The vehicle markets have rebounded strongly the past two years but are well below their pre-recession peaks.”

Final data for December will be available from FTR later in the month as part of its North American Commercial Truck & Trailer Outlook service. Contact FTR Associates at [email protected] or 1-888-988-1699 ext 1 for more details.

Related content: Class 8 Net Orders Hit Second-Highest Mark in Three Years: FTR