Demand for commercial vehicles was healthy in November as 58,500 total NA Classes 5-8 orders were booked, up 48% from a year ago. Over the past twelve months, NA Classes 5-8 net orders have totaled 583,200 units, representing the strongest 12-month period of NA Classes 5-8 order placement since the twelve months ending December 2006.

“On the heels of October’s second best ever Class 8 order month, November follows with the fifth-best month on the all-time list. The 41,000 NA Class 8 net orders in November (37.7k SA) represent the convergence of a number of trends that continue to drive healthy order activity. These include rising economic activity, pent-up demand, strong new equipment fuel economy gains, and most importantly, rising freight rates, which bolster carrier profitability,” said Kenny Vieth, ACT’s President and Senior Analyst.

Vieth said that November’s preliminary 17,500 NA Classes 5-7 net orders was somewhat of a letdown following on the heels of a strong three-month period of order placement. “November’s medium duty orders were down 4% compared to last November and fell 22% below October’s strong intake. Through YTD, Classes 5-7 net orders have been booked at a 218,400 unit annual rate (218.5k SAAR),” he added.

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.