COLUMBUS, Ind. – North American Class 8 net orders totaled 38,100 units in April – more than 31 percent from March and over 157 percent above last year.

This solid order level, the strongest since March 2006, resulted in the Class 8 order backlog surging past 126,000 units level. The class 8 order backlog now sits at a 55-month high, according to ACT Research Co.

"Positively, class 8 orders continue to be placed close-in. Of April’s orders, 70 percent were scheduled for build by the end of Q3. Needless to say, open build slots remaining in 2011 are filling rapidly," says Kenny Vieth, president and senior analyst.

"At current fill rates, the 2011 build schedule could be completely filled by sometime in July.

"As has been the case throughout 2011, the industry’s challenge is ramping up production. The industry’s ability to build trucks, rather than demand for trucks will be the constraining factor on Class 8 production this year."