ACT Research reported Tuesday final North American Class 8 orders totaled 25,800 units in January. The company says that's still healthy despite a 11% year-over-year drop and is in line with its preliminary order announcement from earlier this month.
"It remains to be seen whether the decrease in orders this month will continue or was just a reversion after November and December highs," says Carter Vieth, research analyst at ACT Research. "One month does not make a trend."
Vocational orders remained strong, even in the seasonally weakest time of year for orders. They rose 14% year-over-year, totaling 7,400 units.
"With EPA 2027 on the horizon, well-supported end market, longer asset life cycles, and [approximately] $2 trillion in stimulus continuing to be deployed, vocational truck buyers have both ability and willingness to get a head start on refreshing their fleet," Vieth says. "Though, it's worth noting, the new administration has added greater uncertainty regarding the fate of EPA '27 and the remaining, unspent stimulus [money]."
Medium-duty orders slowed, Vieth says, possibly dragged down by high inventories. Classes 5-7 orders dropped 26% year-over-year to 14,700 units.
