Twice as Many Trucks Are Being Ordered in 2014

COLUMBUS, IN — Around 17,000 Class 5 to 7 trucks are expected to be ordered in January in North America, according to ACT Research Co. (ACT). Class 8 orders are expected around 34,700 units.

“The past four months have seen three of the top five order months this cycle for Classes 5 to 8,” said Kenny Vieth, president and senior analyst with ACT, which publishes new and used commercial vehicle data and market analysis. The report covers Classes 5 through 8 vehicles for the North American market.

Even though twice as many trucks were ordered in December 2013 than both November and December 2012, in January of this year, Class 8 orders rose 9 percent. When compared to January 2013, there were 51 percent more Class 8 trucks ordered in January 2014. 

“While the order trend has accelerated, it should be noted that this is the time of year in which Class 8 orders tend to be strong: Typically, orders accelerate in the fourth quarter and remain elevated into the second quarter before falling sharply in the third quarter,” Vieth said. “If industry build transpires as expected, Class 8 backlogs are expected to have posted a nice gain in January.”

After a pause in December, medium-duty orders returned to trend in January. Net orders were up 13 percent from December and 31 percent compared to last January.


Have your say


This is a moderated forum. Comments will no longer be published unless they are accompanied by a first and last name and a verifiable email address. (Today's Trucking will not publish or share the email address.) Profane language and content deemed to be libelous, racist, or threatening in nature will not be published under any circumstances.

*