ACT Research: Class 5-8 demand ends year on a high

Demand for commercial vehicles was healthy in December, as 65,700 total NA Class 5-8 orders were booked, up 41 percent from a year ago.
Jan. 7, 2015

Demand for commercial vehicles was healthy in December, as 65,700 total NA Class 5-8 orders were booked, up 41 percent from a year ago. Over the past 12 months, NA Class 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 Class 5-7 net orders was the second strongest order month cycle-to-date. “December’s medium duty orders rose 44 percent compared to last December. In 2014, Class 5-7 net orders totaled 222,200 units, up 12 percent compared to 2013,” he added.

Sign up for FleetMaintenance eNewsletters
Clean Z's Mobile Detailing
Cab detailing should at minimum be done every three months.
Your drivers work—and often live—for long periods in the cab. Messes are bound to happen, but routine housekeeping and regular detailing go a long way in maintaining your drivers...
Hellwig Products
CONTACT HELPER SPRINGS FOR 2024-25 FORD F-250 AND F-350 MODELS
Adds 2,000 lbs. of load support
Lytx
a14_surfsight_dash_cam
Includes next-gen machine vision and artificial intelligence