FTR Associates has released preliminary data showing September Class 8 truck total net orders for all major North American OEM’s at 23,465, the second consecutive month of increasing order activity. Preliminary September orders increased 12 percent over August and are a 56 percent improvement from the same month a year ago, FTR says.
Although orders have improved recently, FTR says the annualized order rate for the six-month period through September remains significantly less than earlier this year.
“The orders were at the high end of expectations. Given the level of order activity, it appears that truckers are not very concerned about a slowing economy,” says Eric Starks, FTR president. “This is a good sign that things are not falling apart. The next three months will set the stage for 2012 as we will be entering traditionally strong order months. As the shipping season winds down, truckers will assess their position and place orders for delivery in late Q1 and Q2 so that they are prepared for next year’s shipping season.”
Final data for September will be available from FTR later in the month as part of its North American Commercial Truck & Trailer Outlook service.
