Truck orders make late surge ahead of 2010 changes

In the latest release of its State of the Industry: Classes 5-8 Vehicles, ACT indicated Class 8 new orders were up across all three North American regions as well as exports.

The Trucker News Services

11/18/2009

COLUMBUS, Ind. — Net orders for heavy-duty Class 8 commercial vehicles soared to 21,500 units in October, the highest level since January of 2008, according to industry analyst ACT Research Co.

In the latest release of its State of the Industry: Classes 5-8 Vehicles, ACT indicated Class 8 new orders were up across all three North American regions as well as exports. Medium-duty Class 5-7 net orders were also at their highest level of the year, up 50 percent from the prior year.

“The sharp spike in orders and the near-term placement of a majority of the orders is a clear indication of pre-buy activity in the United States and Canada,” said Kenny Vieth, partner and senior analyst with ACT. “Mexico and non-NAFTA export markets also had stronger orders, likely indicating increased confidence in the economic outlook.”

ACT publishes commercial vehicle (CV) industry data, market analysis and forecasting services for the North American market. ACT says its CV services are used by all major North American truck and trailer manufacturers and their suppliers, as well as the banking and investment community.

Kevin Jones of The Trucker staff can be reached for comment at kevinj@thetrucker.com.

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