Preliminary Class 8 Orders Up 6% Over November: FTR

Jan. 4, 2013
Preliminary December Class 8 truck net orders were at 20,836 units, 6% higher than November and a 30% drop from the same month a year ago, according to FTR Associates

Preliminary December Class 8 truck net orders were at 20,836 units, 6% higher than November and a 30% drop from the same month a year ago, according to FTR Associates.

While orders were low historically for December, those received in the last three months of 2012 were well above the prior six months. Preliminary order numbers are for all major North American OEMs.

“December orders were disappointing and were at the low end of expectations,” said Eric Starks, president of FTR. “This confirms our forecast for a weaker start to 2013. It is possible that fleets have been sitting on the sidelines waiting for a resolution to the fiscal cliff. If so, we would expect to see some better numbers in January.”

Final data for December 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.