Roger W. Gilroy |
Class 8 Orders in August improved 49% year-over-year and pushed past 21,000, according to ACT Research Co.
Orders reached 21,200, Act reported, citing preliminary data it would revise if needed later in September, when truck makers provide final tallies.
Class 8 orders were 14,194 in the 2016 period.
“This bodes well for hitting our forecast,” ACT Vice President Steve Tam said, referring to 2017 North American production of 245,500 heavy-duty trucks.
But that will require monthly orders in the fourth quarter of 25,000 to 26,000, and there may come a potential spike to 30,000 in December, Tam said.
Research company FTR pegged the order number at 20,700, also citing a preliminary figure.
“August orders continue the positive trend in the Class 8 market. Orders were up for the third straight month, and it looks like May’s 16,500 orders will be the low point for the year,” Don Ake, FTR vice president of commercial vehicles, said in a statement.