NA Class 8 Orders Begin to Moderate

At the top line, NA Class 8 net orders totaled 28,082 units in November, compared to build at 27,973 units, according to ACT Research (ACT). 

“As we move into the year’s home stretch, freight-related data points continue to shift from strong growth to more moderate levels of activity,” says Kenny Vieth, ACT Research’s President and Senior Analyst. Vieth adds, “November marked the first negative year-over-year (y/y) order comparison in 2 years, falling 17% compared to last November. Over the past 12 months, Class 8 net orders totaled 506,300 units, the second strongest 12-month order period in history, trailing only the 12-month period ending October.” 

Regarding the medium-duty markets, Vieth comments, “November’s orders hewed to the warm side of 2018’s activity, with medium-duty orders rising 23% y/y. Through year-to-date, 2018’s 280,800 orders are up an identical 23% y/y. Medium-duty trucks have been the primary driver of stronger activity in 2018, followed respectively by bus and RV orders.”