COLUMBUS, Ind. — Final North American Class 8 net orders totaled 26,576 units in May, up 104% y/y and 12% m/m on a seasonally adjusted basis, as published in ACT Research’s latest State of the Industry: NA Classes 5-8 report.
“Demand for new equipment remains robust, driven by the sustained and supply-side-led run up in freight rates and looming cost increases associated with EPA’27 regulations come Jan. 1,” said Carter Vieth, research analyst at ACT Research. “With freight conditions quickly improving, tractor orders rose 126% y/y, totaling 19,098 units in May. Vocational Class 8 orders totaled 7,478 units, increasing 63% y/y. With AI hyperscalers spending ~$15–$20 billion per week on infrastructure, vocational demand continues to benefit from tech tailwinds.”
Regarding medium duty, Vieth noted total Classes 5-7 orders rose 37% y/y to 19,725 units, perhaps reflecting continued US economic resilience, particularly among consumers, despite record, or near record, low confidence levels.
“Orders this month suggest some level of dealer inventory stocking ahead of 2027, especially as recent customer anecdotes indicate lack of large order appetite for medium duty,” Vieth said.
Dana Guthrie is an award-winning journalist who has been featured in multiple newspapers, books and magazines across the globe. She is currently based in the Atlanta, Georgia, area.
