COLUMBUS, IN — For the seventh consecutive month, April’s class 8 orders stayed above the 20,000 level, totaling just over 23,200 units, reported ACT Research.

That’s also the second highest volume in 16 months, ACT noted. Year-over-year, orders are up a hefty 36 percent.

“Class 8 orders year-to-date bound for the U.S., Canada, and Mexico all continue to trend above year ago levels,” said Kenny Vieth, ACT’s president and senior analyst. “Demand from Mexico is particularly strong,” he added. What’s more, class 8 cancellations were in record low territory, “a positive indicator for stronger demand.”

Medium duty net orders came to 16,740 units, marking the best order volume in six months and the second best in the past twenty-six, ACT said.

“As has been the case this cycle, backlogs for the medium duty market remain thin relative to build. Per-day build hit its second highest level in a year in April,” said Vieth.