Class 8 orders see ‘sharp move upward,’ trailer orders jump 43 percent

Class 8 orders were strong in October, according to ACT Research, who released its monthly State of the Industry report last week. The research firm also reported a strong surge in trailer orders, saying net orders were up 43 percent from September.

Kenny Vieth, ACT’s president and senior analyst, said the uptick in truck orders was higher than usual annual trends, but the market could cause order strength to lose traction. “Given that market conditions are good but not great, it is premature to say that trend will continue through November and December,” he said.

Net trailer orders totaled 24,900 in October, accounting for a 6 percent year over year increase, which ACT says is “solid.”

Frank Maly, director of ACT’s commercial vehicle transportation analysis and research, said the rise in orders was well distributed among trailer segments. “Improvement in orders was widespread in October, as seven of 10 trailer categories were positive month over month, with most of those posting solid double-digit gains,” Maly said. “Cancellations were low, which continues to indicate both an absence of speculative orders in the backlog as well as a confirmation that trailers on the orderboard are truly needed.”