BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Class 8 truck net orders in September were higher than any other September since 2005 and 27% stronger than a year ago, according to the latest data from FTR.

North American net orders totaled 24,477 units. September’s numbers marked the 20th consecutive month of year-over-year improvements.

Class 8 orders over the past six months point to an annualized figure of 310,000 units.

September Class 8 orders were similar to August and may reflect some pull ahead of fourth quarter orders in response to OEM production constraints as fleets attempt to reserve build slots, FTR reports.

Don Ake, FTR vice-president of commercial vehicles, said, “If some of the September activity indeed is pull ahead, Q4 orders will be below expectations for the time period. However, Class 8 orders overall are solid across the board and in line with FTR forecasts. Order activity has snapped back into traditional seasonal patterns, albeit at levels consistent with a very strong Class 8 market. We enter the fourth quarter with positive momentum, which means the first quarter build numbers should be robust.”