Class 8 Orders Beat Expectations in July: ACT

Aug. 20, 2015
Class 8 booked just over 24,600 net new orders in July—exceeding expectations for the first time since February—according to the latest State of the Industry report released by ACT Research Co. (ACT).

Class 8 booked just over 24,600 net new orders in July—exceeding expectations for the first time since February—according to the latest State of the Industry report released by ACT Research Co. (ACT).

Kenny Vieth, ACT’s President and Senior Analyst, noted that, at the midway point of Q3, the economy and freight markets are being buffeted by cross-currents, generating mixed signals.

“In July, Class 8 orders broke to the high side of expectations for the first time since February, producing seasonally adjusted net orders to 29,600,” he said.  “Helping drive the high-side outcome in July was a large press-release worthy 9,000-unit, multi-year order, but even if this is excluded July’s orders were well ahead of expectations.”


Concerning medium duty, Vieth said, “On balance, the Class 5-7 market saw orders improve from June to July, with broad-based strength in Classes 6-7 orders (up 7% y/y) offsetting weakness in Class 5 orders, which were down 12% y/y.” He added, “The improvement in Classes 6-7 orders would have been stronger but for a sharp drop in step van orders versus a one-off order last July.”