COLUMBUS, Ind. — North American net orders of Class 8 trucks reached their highest level since November 2008 in August, but remain down 30% year-over-year, according to ACT Research’s latest State of the Industry Report.

August Class 8 orders were 15% higher than in July

Medium-duty orders, meanwhile, were up 75% in August compared to the prior year, driven largely by demand for buses. Medium-duty truck orders hit a five-month high in August, but were still down 26% compared to last August, ACT reported. Buses and step-vans provided the strongest orders.

“Even though hauling capacity has been coming out of the market through below replacement level retail sales and strong exports of used equipment, Class 8 overcapacity remains an issue limiting near-term demand, ” said Kenny Vieth, partner and senior analyst with ACT. “While order activity has begun to make modest strides, there is no suggestion that demand is poised for a sustained break-out above replacement level volumes any time soon.”