Preliminary Class 8 truck net orders for September were 19,777 units, 29% better than a year ago but just 3% higher than August orders, according to FTR Associates.
September is now the fourth consecutive month with Class 8 orders below 20,000, resulting in annualized orders for the six-month period, including September, dipping to 240,600 units. Preliminary order numbers are for all major North American OEMs.
"The order data was generally in line with expectations,” said Eric Starks, FTR's president. “Activity is modest but still suggests a flat production and sales market over the next few months. We will be looking hard at the October orders to see if production expectations through the end of the year can be met."
Final data for September will be available from FTR later in the month as part of its North American Commercial Truck & Trailer Outlook service. To contact FTR, send an email to [email protected]or call (888) 988-1699 ext. 1.