Preliminary NA Class 8 net orders in June were 25,700 units, up 11 percent from May, and a still robust 61 percent higher than June of 2020’s COVID-impacted intake. NA Classes 5-7, with orders at 22,800 units, slipped 12 percent from May, according to ACT Research. Demand in this segment faced a tougher year-ago comparison, but still outpaced June 2020 by 26 percent.

Complete industry data for June, including final order numbers, will be published by ACT Research in mid-July.

“With 2021 backlogs essentially filled and 2022 order activity remaining calendar constrained, North American Classes 5-8 orders in June moved sideways from May,” said Kenny Vieth, ACT’s President and Senior Analyst. "We reiterate that order moderation aligns with expectations, driven by the supply of open build slots in 2021 and not fully opened 2022 orderbooks, rather than any material fall-off in demand for equipment.”

Regarding the heavy-duty market, Vieth commented, “With orders below recent activity, the three and six-month net order SAARs continued to moderate, but remain at still-robust run rate levels.”

“June’s Classes 5-7 net orders slowed, in a still-supportive vehicle demand environment, with three and six-month SAARs remaining elevated,” he added.