FTR Associates on Thursday, Sept. 6, released preliminary data showing August Class 8 truck net orders at 15,935 units, up 27 percent from July. FTR said that while August numbers were much better than July, the month still ranks as the second-lowest order month since August 2010.
The annualized rate for net orders placed in the last three months comes in at 179,300 units, well below the same period a year ago. Preliminary order numbers are for all major North American OEMs.
“The August order numbers are where we expected them to be and validate our assumptions that production should ease over the next few quarters to come in line with demand,” said Eric Starks, FTR president. “We are forecasting fourth-quarter orders to fall below the current production levels.”
