ACT says Tuesday the end is near for above replacement-level Class 8 tractor capacity additions.
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Final Class 8 net orders for North America totaled 15,850 units in April, up 32% against last year's easiest comparison, the transportation analysts said. U.S. Class 8 tractor orders fell 25% year-over-year in April. Total medium-duty orders (Classes 5-7) rose 1.9% to 18,863 units.
"April orders reinforce our belief that in addition to weak for-hire market conditions, private fleet expansion is slowing," says Kenny Vieth, ACT president and senior analyst. "This would be welcome news for the beleaguered for-hire market, as the journey back to healthier financials starts with capacity restraint."
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ACT released the finalized April numbers in it's State of the Industry: NA Classes 5-8 report.
"Positively, the DAT van load-to-truck ration, thanks to contracting spot market equipment levels, has pushed up to 4.0, seasonally adjusted, from an average of 3.3 in 2023," Veith added.
