A month after posting the second-highest orders month in nearly six years, September’s Classes 5-7 vehicle orders returned to the prevailing order trend, according to ACT Research.
When they are released mid-month, North American Classes 5-7 orders are expected at 16,500 units. Class 8 orders also rose compared to August and a year ago. When actual data is available mid-month, Class 8 orders are expected at 20,100 units.
“Based on ACT’s analysis, September is typically the second-weakest order month of the year for Class 8, so modest activity was expected,” said Kenny Vieth, ACT’s president and senior analyst. “September’s order volume was the best since May and represents gains of 27% compared to last September and to Q3’12.
“Seasonal adjustment boosts September’s Class 8 orders to 23,200 units/278,000 SAAR. In seasonally adjusted terms, September’s Class 8 order intake was the second-best since January 2012.”
Over the past 8 months, Classes 5-7 vehicle orders have averaged 16,600 units per month. Compared to a year ago, orders were up 16% in September and 20% for all of Q3. September is typically a better than average month for medium-duty orders, so seasonal adjustment lowers September’s order intake to 16,100 units/193,200 SAAR.