Final Class 8 net orders for January were up 20% year over year to 30,806, ACT Research reported Wednesday.
"After December's massive year-end surge, it was little surprise activity retreated in January, but Class 8 net orders were still solid," Carter Vieth, research analyst, says. "The recent uptick in orders has been buoyed by regulatory clarity as dealers, lessors and large fleets placed orders ahead of expected 2027 regulatory cost increases."
Spot rates are also slightly up, Vieth says, adding more optimism to the 2026 outlook.
"Vocational Class 8 orders totaled 8,377 units, up 14% year over year," he says. "Like the tractor market, vocational is benefitting from firmer economic footing as well as regulatory clarity. With the four largest U.S. technology firms set to spend $650 billion on AI build out, vocational is poised to ride the AI tailwinds that show no signs of stopping in the near term."
Medium-duty orders are also up 14% year over year to 15,984 units.
"Having gradually slowed in 2025 on tariffs and sagging consumer sentiment, recent improvement is likely a reflection of continued consumer spending, cautious optimism surrounding the economic outlook and some regulation driven dealer stocking," Vieth says.
