Class 8 orders were above 20,000 units for the seventh consecutive month in April, rising to their second highest volume in 16 months, according to the State of the Industry report released by ACT Research Co. (ACT).
April Class 8 net orders totaled just over 23,200 units. Medium-duty net orders totaled 16,740 units, the best order volume in six months and the second best in the past 26.
Class 8 orders year-to-date bound for the U.S., Canada, and Mexico all continue to trend above year ago levels.
“Demand from Mexico is particularly strong,” said Kenny Vieth, ACT’s president & senior analyst. “Class 8 cancellations remained in record low territory in April, which is a positive indicator for stronger demand.
“As has been the case this cycle, backlogs for the medium-duty market remain thin relative to build. Per-day build hit its second highest level in a year in April.”