Class 8 orders slow in July; trucker profitability climbs
COLUMBUS, Ind. — Class 8 orders declined to less than 17,600 units in July, down 7% compared to June and in line with expectations, according to the latest report from ACT Research.
The third quarter historically represents the weakest for Class 8 order activity and July is typically the weakest month, ACT reports.
Still, July’s orders were up 36% year-over-year.
Medium-duty orders, meanwhile, fell 4% compared to June, coming in at 14,970 units.
“New orders continue to come from truckers who have a genuine need for near-term deliveries,” said Kenny Vieth, ACT’s president and senior analyst. “As such, cancellation activity remained at extremely low levels again in July.”
Vieth also said that trucker profit margins were at their highest level since Q4 2005 in the second quarter, which hints at a strong finish to 2013.
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