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Oct 9, 2012 3:59 PM

Preliminary net orders for Class 8 trucks remained lackluster in September, according to data reported by ACT Research Co.

The final numbers, which will be released mid-October, will approach 15,600 units for heavy-duty trucks and 14,000 for Classes 5-7. The preliminary net order numbers typically are considered accurate to within 5% of actual.

“Seasonally adjusted, Class 8 net orders were 17,900 units and Classes 5-7 net orders were 13,000 units,” said Kenny Vieth, president and senior analyst.  “Continued weakness in Class 8 demand is in line with a wide swath of data that indicates a pullback in business investment, both domestic and international, ahead of the potential for bad political decisions at year’s end. Softness continues to manifest itself in a number of freight related data series. As the angst will not be resolved until after Election Day, there does not appear to be a near-term trigger for broadly stronger orders.”

Orders for Classes 5-7 continued at consistent levels, Vieth said. September’s volume was within 100 units of August and was the third consecutive month with a positive year-ver-year comparison.