Demand for commercial vehicles remained at healthy levels in June as 41,300 total NA Classes 5-8 orders were booked (44.8k SA). Since the start of the period of stronger orders last October, NA Classes 5-8 net orders have been booked at a 541,900 unit annual rate (529k SAAR).

“With seasonal tendencies dampening expectations, NA Class 8 net orders surprised on the high side in June at 26,600 units,” said Kenny Vieth, ACT’s President and Senior Analyst. “That volume marked an improvement of 2% from May and 41% compared to year-ago June. Seasonal adjustment boosts June’s Class 8 order total to 29,200 units/351k SAAR. On that basis, June was the strongest order month since January. Since October, Class 8 orders have been booked at a 318,100 unit SAAR.”

After “best since early 2006” orders in April, Classes 5-7 have cooled over the past two months. In June, net orders fell 9% from May and 1% from year-ago levels to 14,700 units. “Given that June is typically a soft order month, seasonal adjustment boosts the month’s MD order intake to 15,600 units/187k SAAR, representing the weakest order intake (SA) since December,” said Vieth. “Over the past six months, Classes 5-7 net orders were booked at a 214,600 units SAAR. Over the past 12 months, actual orders have totaled 209,600 units.”

ACT is the recognized leading publisher of new and used commercial vehicle (CV) industry data, market analysis and forecasting services for the North American market, as well as the China CV market. ACT’s CV services are used by all major North American truck and trailer manufacturers and their suppliers, as well as the banking and investment community.