Preliminary NA Class 8 net orders in November were 51,900 units, up 33 percent from October and a 197 percent improvement from year-ago November. NA Classes 5-7 demand continued in-line with recent activity, at 27,200 units. That order volume represents a 9 percent decrease from October’s 30-month high, but was still up 78 percent compared to last year. Complete industry data for November, including final order numbers, will be published by ACT Research in mid-December.

“The pandemic impacted economy continues to play into the hands of trucking,” said Kenny Vieth, ACT’s President and Senior Analyst. He continued, “With freight rates surging to record levels the past three months and carrier profits certain to follow, orders accelerated in November. Preliminarily, North American Class 8 net orders rose to the third highest level in history, proving once again our favorite commercial vehicle demand axiom, when carriers make money, they buy, or at least order, trucks.”

Regarding the medium-duty market, Vieth commented, “There is a symbiotic relationship between heavy-duty freight rates and medium-duty demand. Clearly, the shift in consumer spending from experiences to goods has been good for the providers of local trucking services as e-commerce has grown by leaps and bounds during the pandemic.”