Preliminary Class 8 Orders for February Up 4%: FTR

March 6, 2013
Preliminary data shows February Class 8 truck net orders at 23,011, a 4% increase over both January and the prior year, according to FTR Associates

Preliminary data shows February Class 8 truck net orders at 23,011, a 4% increase over both January and the prior year, according to FTR Associates.

Orders for Class 8 vehicles have been consistently above the 20,000 mark since October 2012, with an annualized rate of 263,600 units over the last three months. Preliminary order numbers are for all major North American OEMs.

“In February we saw a year-over-year improvement in orders which is a positive development,” said Jonathan Starks, director of transportation analysis for FTR. “The modestly robust freight environment that we are currently in is being reflected in truck orders as carriers purchase needed replacements.

“Since we are at the tail end of the typical ordering season, we see no indication that the market will get above those replacement levels during 2013.”

Final data for February will be available from FTR later in the month as part of its North American Commercial Truck & Trailer Outlook service. Contact FTR Associates at ftr@ftrassociates.com or 1-888-988-1699 ext 1 for more details.