Class 8 net orders were lukewarm in September with a trivial rise, signaling that the historically weak season is coming to an end. Seasonally adjusted, September's orders were at 16,100 units. “October kicks off the traditional high volume fourth quarter, when fleets and OEMs nail down commitments for the upcoming model year,” said Jim Meil, ACT Research Principal and Industry Analyst.

Standing out amongst the other heavy duty segments again was Mexico, buoyed in part by a weak Peso: “A proposed emissions mandate at the start of 2018 contributes to market strength; we believe truckers are taking the long view and positioning strategically,” noted Jim Meil. “For other segments the status is the same - U.S. tractors, Canada and export markets across-the-board are lackluster,” he concluded, summarizing the Class 8 September markets.

Speaking about the medium duty segment, Meil said, “With the strength of the economy coming from consumers, and much of MD demand linked to consumer expenditures, there is a happy confluence of solid MD demand and household activity.” September Classes 5-7 net orders were 20,487 (19,500 SA). Meil continued, “September SA results matched the 2016 ytd average almost exactly.”

ACT is the 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 U.S. tractor-trailer market and the China CV market. ACT’s CV services are used by all major North American truck and trailer manufacturers and their suppliers, and worldwide banking and investment companies.