Demand for commercial vehicles was healthy in December as 65,700 total NA Classes 5-8 orders were booked, up 41% from a year ago. Over the past twelve months, NA Classes 5-8 net orders have totaled 602,300 units – an average of more than 50,000 orders per month. These are preliminary numbers – actual numbers will be released mid-January.

“December’s 43,900 NA Class 8 net orders mark the fourth best month on record and bring the full year order total to just over 380,000 units,” said Kenny Vieth, ACT’s President and Senior Analyst. “As has been the case throughout 2014, the strength in order activity is symptomatic of converging trends that are favorable to demand, including stronger economic activity, lingering pent-up demand, sizeable fuel economy gains, and rising carrier profitability."

Vieth said that December’s preliminary 21,800 NA Classes 5-7 net orders was the second strongest order month cycle-to-date. “December’s medium duty orders rose 44% compared to last December. In 2014, Classes 5-7 net orders totaled 222,200 units, up 12% compared to 2013,” 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.