According to an article posted on Truck News, Mark Lampert, senior vice-president, sales and marketing with Freightliner admitted Class 8 order activity has slowed beyond expectations, but stated the company maintains an optimistic outlook for the remainder of 2012.

As reported, Lampert said there is not one single issue driving the slowdown in the Class 8 truck market, but a combination of them, including slowing economic growth, declining consumption, slumping factory output and a gloomy consumer base.

Lampert also noted that one reason fleets may not be rushing to their dealers to place substantial orders is that with the current soft demand, there’s really no reason to do so. Production has slowed to the point where a new tractor can be delivered within seven weeks from the time it’s ordered. “When you are getting a new truck in seven weeks, there’s no reason to forecast,” he said. “Fleets will wait and see. Vehicle availability is a non-issue; you don’t need to place an order early to make sure you get a build slot.”