Class 8 demand hits six-month highs

According to the latest State of the Industry report released by ACT Research Co. (ACT), Class 8 new and net orders rose to six-month highs in October, to 29,824 and 28,026 units, respectively. Kenny Vieth, ACT president & senior analyst said this order flow suggests that 2011 will end strong with production at or above 250,000 units and also sets the stage for a “robust” 2012.

“News from carriers is good,” added Vieth. “Expectations for future freight and profitability are upbeat. Coupling truckers’ positive outlook into 2012 and the better-than-consensus economic news supports demand levels that we are seeing in the Class 8 market.”

ACT publishes 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.