Class 5-8 Orders Up 21% in September: ACT

In September, 43,300 total Class 5-8 orders were booked, up 21% from a year ago and basically unchanged since August, according to ACT Reseearch.

Over the past twelve months, Class 5-8 net orders have totaled 540,000 units. That cumulative order volume represents the strongest 12-month period of Class 5-8 order placement since the twelve months ending November 2005.

“Class 8 orders continued to be booked ahead of seasonal expectations,” said Kenny Vieth, ACT’s President and Senior Analyst. “Historically, September is the second weakest month of the year for Class 8 orders, so some moderation was expected. During the month, 29,400 Class 8 orders were placed, down 500 units from August, but up 32% compared to last September.”

September’s preliminary 18,500 NA Classes 5-7 net orders were up 3% from August and 9% from a year ago, representing the best MD vehicle order volume since April.

“September is historically a strong month for school bus chassis orders, which remained elevated, so there is an expectation for stronger overall medium–duty orders during the month,” said Vieth.