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Jan 4, 2013 10:40 AM

Class 8 preliminary net orders for December were 21,300 – up “modestly” from November and an improvement over where orders were through most of 2012, according to Kenny Vieth, president and senior analyst of ACT Research.

The final numbers, which will be released mid-January, will approach 14,200 units for  Class 5-7 vehicles and trucks. The preliminary net order numbers are typically accurate to within 5% of actual.

 “We suspect the looming ‘fiscal cliff’ was a limiting factor in what is typically a strong order month for Class 8,” Vieth said. “With the biggest piece of fiscal uncertainty now in the rear-view mirror, improved forward visibility should allow for better orders in coming months.

“Like Class 8, medium-duty vehicle orders were in line with November volumes. December represented the sixth consecutive month of year-over-year order improvement.”