ACT Research reported that despite a continuation of strong build, incrementally stronger orders allowed the Class 8 backlog to rise in January to 125,200 units, the highest backlog volume since last July. Classes 5-7 backlog rose to 36,500 units. Cancellations, build, and orders were in line with expectations. This updated status of the North America commercial vehicle market was included in the State of the Industry report, recently released by ACT Research Co. (ACT). The report covers Class 5 through 8 vehicles for the North American market.

“The Class 8 build rate fell back to the prevailing trend in January at 1,253 units per day, following the rush to build and deliver units into the end of 2011,” said Kenny Vieth, president and senior analyst at ACT. “Concerning orders almost half of orders booked in January are scheduled to be built in the first half of the year,” he added.