NASHVILLE, Ind. — The Class 8 market remained soft in September, with preliminary net order numbers reported by FTR Associates coming in at the lower end of expectations.

FTR reported preliminary Class 8 truck net orders at 15,205 units, down slightly from August. September orders were 35% below last September, and concluded the weakest quarter since Q3 2010.

The annualized rate for net orders placed in the third quarter is just 174,400 units, FTR reported.

“September orders were at the low end of our expectations so they were somewhat disappointing,” said Eric Starks, FTR president. “We wouldn’t have been surprised to see three to four thousand more units ordered in the month, but the reported numbers were certainly within the range we expected to see, albeit softer than we would have liked. Even with sluggish freight levels, we still expect to see a seasonal bounce in orders during Q4, but likely not at levels that many in the industry are hoping to see.”