COLUMBUS, Ind. — According to ACT Research’s November North American Commercial Vehicle OUTLOOK. Class 8 preliminary orders in October totaled 13,500 units, down 45% year-over-year, as persistent cost pressures and regulatory uncertainty continue to weigh on fleet investment decisions.
“The current environment is defined by a collision of rising input costs and regulatory headwinds,” said Carter Vieth, research analyst,” ACT. “For Class 8, order activity has softened as carriers navigate higher equipment prices, uncertainty around the EPA’s 2027 mandate, and the lingering effects of last year’s tariffs. Despite these challenges, carrier profitability is gradually improving, and we expect fleets will need to resume investment as underlying demand remains fundamentally sound.”
Meanwhile, US trailer net orders surged to 18,000 units, up 75% month-over-month on a nominal basis, signaling renewed urgency among carriers to secure equipment ahead of anticipated supply chain bottlenecks and price increases.
The report highlights that while the North American economy remains resilient, with private domestic demand reaching its strongest growth rate in over three years, ongoing tariffs, elevated energy prices and rising interest rates are constraining both household purchasing power and business margins.
“In the trailer segment, the story is increasingly about supply chain stress,” Vieth said. “Carriers are moving quickly to place orders, not just to meet demand, but to get ahead of potential shortages in materials and labor. The domestic trailer industry is facing untested supply chain capacity, and any delays or cost increases could further lengthen production queues. The challenge for the industry will be meeting this renewed demand without exacerbating backlogs or inflating costs for buyers.”
Dana Guthrie is an award-winning journalist who has been featured in multiple newspapers, books and magazines across the globe.
