COLUMBUS, Ind. — December net orders of heavy-duty Class 8 commercial vehicles for North American markets were 27,044 units – up 128% year-over-year – according to ACT Research. Medium-duty Classes 5-7 net orders fell 9% month-over-month from November, but were up 89% on a year-over-year basis.

In the latest release of the State of the Industry: Classes 5-8 Vehicles, ACT noted that Class 8 net orders rose to their highest monthly total since May of 2006. Full year 2010 production of Class 8 vehicles was up 30% from a very weak 2009 at 154,290 units.

“Unlike previous cycles that have been dominated by the US, there is a greater breadth of geographic demand for Class 8 equipment this time,” said Kenny Vieth, president and senior analyst. “While US demand is ramping nicely, orders bound for Canada, Mexico, and non-NAFTA export markets remain at healthy levels.”