Preliminary Class 8 orders rise in March

FTR Associates has released preliminary data showing March 2011’s Class 8 truck net orders for all major North American OEMs totaled 28,871, a 20% increase over February preliminary orders and a 155% increase over the same period in 2010. The March results are a continuation of the strong trend from previous months. The figure includes US, Canada, Mexico, and exports.

Eric Starks, president of FTR, said, “FTR recently increased our 2011 projections for Class 8 truck sales and the strong order activity in March 2011 supports that decision. The first quarter has been very positive for incoming orders with fleets placing orders primarily for replacement units due to aged equipment. Orders for added capacity vehicles are few at the moment with some fleets still looking for good drivers to fill current seats. Even in face of growing truck freight, driver supply constraints will continue to restrain plans to add capacity.”