Preliminary North American Class 8 truck and tractor net orders reached 13,000 units in August, a 4% increase from July, according to FTR Transportation Intelligence. However, this represents a 14% decline compared with the same month last year, marking the eight consecutive year-over-year drop.
FTR
Orders came in far below the 10-year August average of 23,135 units. Total orders amount to 251,997 units over the past 12 months.
Both vocational and on-highway segments saw modest improvement on a month-to-month basis, though demand for on-highway equipment remains soft as long-haul carriers focus on asset utilization rather than fleet expansion.
For the 2025 order cycle (September 2024 through August 2025), FTR reported that cumulative orders are down 15% year-over-year. Without a rebound in freight fundamentals, FTR noted that fleet order activity is expected to remain muted as 2026 order books open in September, restraining near-term fleet capacity growth and delaying freight rate recovery.
The Class 8 market faces growing pressure from tariffs, high inventories, regulatory uncertainty, and weak freight demand, said Dan Moyer, senior analyst, commercial vehicles, at FTR.
Tariff hikes implemented on August 7 increased costs on vehicles, parts, and key inputs. A recent federal appeals court ruling has cast doubt on the legality of certain country-specific reciprocal tariffs, although they remain in force until at least October 14 pending Supreme Court review.
Moyer added that Section 232 tariffs on steel, aluminum, and copper are unaffected by that ruling and could extend to trucks, components, semiconductors, adding another layer of risk.
In addition, Moyer noted that uncertainty surrounding the 2027 EPA NOx standards is already deterring purchases and softening near-term demand.
“Fleets are extending truck lifespans and incurring higher maintenance costs,” said Moyer. “Dealers are leaning on used equipment and service. And OEMs face profitability pressure, volatile schedules, and greater supply chain exposure.”
“Until tariff and regulatory paths are clarified, the outlook will remain unsettled,” Moyer said.
ACT Research offered a similar estimate, pegging August preliminary Class 8 net orders at 13,200 units, a 19% year-over-year decline.
Tim Denoyer, vice president and senior analyst at ACT Research, emphasized near-term freight weakness as its cause.
“With cost uncertainty elevated and soft demand in housing and freight outside of pre-tariff activity, this environment may persist,” Denoyer said.
Fleet margins remain under strain, he added, with contract rates stagnant and cost pressures ongoing. Vocational markets also continue with its challenges, brought on by regulatory uncertainty, tariffs, and high interest rates, though data centers remain an area of strong activity.
