Whether it's a sign the trucking freight recession is nearing an end or that fleets simply can't put off buying new trucks forever, Class 8 orders were up in a big way in February, up 150% year-over-year, according to two research firms that track the North American commercial vehicle market.
ACT Research counted about 46,200 Class 8 units ordered for a 156% YOY increase. FTR Transportation Intelligence had a slightly higher estimate of 47,200 units, which FTR noted was the best month for Class 8 orders since Sept. 2022. This number also greatly eclipsed the 10-year February average of 24,991 units.
On the whole, orders for the last three months (Dec. 2025 to Feb. 2026) were far better than the previous three. Orders for Sept. to Nov. '25 saw a double-digit drop. According to FTR, the 2026 order season (September 2025 to February 2026) is now up slightly at 4% year-over-year.
Why the rise?
Both FTR and ACT Research related that the bump stems from previously-deferred replacement purchases and EPA27 prebuys. Many carriers who didn't order last Fall placed orders this past month. And others decided getting ahead of the EPA's 2027 low-NOx rule by ordering 2026 models would be worth it.
Economics also play a major factor, as ACT Research and FTR noted higher spot rates since November.
"Arguably, the most important factor to the order turnaround has been the sustained run-up in spot rates that started in late November," said Carter Vieth, research analyst for ACT Research.
According to FTR's Dan Moyer, senior analyst, commercial vehicles:
"February’s very solid year-over-year increase in net orders extended the firmer tone that has been building since late last year. While a portion of demand still reflects previously deferred replacement purchases reentering the market, the consistency and breadth of recent order activity suggest momentum is now being driven more meaningfully by improving freight fundamentals. Freight volumes and utilization are trending higher, and FTR’s rate forecasts have strengthened."
What about medium duty?
According to ACT Research, Classes 5-7 orders also grew, but only modestly. The preliminary medium-duty order count is 17,400 units in February, up 6.7% year over year.
"Given last year was the weakest month for February orders since 2013, easy comps rather than meaningful medium duty improvement seems the likeliest explanation for year-over-year outperformance," ACT's Vieth said.
About the Author
John Hitch
Editor-in-chief, Fleet Maintenance
John Hitch is the award-winning editor-in-chief of Fleet Maintenance, where his mission is to provide maintenance leaders and technicians with the the latest information on tools, strategies, and best practices to keep their fleets' commercial vehicles moving.
He is based out of Cleveland, Ohio, and has worked in the B2B journalism space for more than a decade. Hitch was previously senior editor for FleetOwner and before that was technology editor for IndustryWeek and and managing editor of New Equipment Digest.
Hitch graduated from Kent State University and was editor of the student magazine The Burr in 2009.
The former sonar technician served honorably aboard the fast-attack submarine USS Oklahoma City (SSN-723), where he participated in counter-drug ops, an under-ice expedition, and other missions he's not allowed to talk about for several more decades.