Final numbers are in for February, ACT Research says, and it has North American Class 8 net orders up 157% over last year to 46,440 units.
"Buoyed by a more optimistic for-hire outlook, the need to refresh an aging fleet, and regulatory costs on the horizon, Class 8 order strength continued in February," says Carter Vieth, research analyst at ACT.
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Spot rates are also up, even excluding rising fuel costs, rising 20% year over year in the month.
"While some of this strength is weather-related, the responsiveness of rates despite flat demand suggests capacity is tightening and the market is approaching balance," Vieth says. "Rates should ease as weather conditions normalize, but with more aggressive FMCSA enforcement on nondomiciled drivers, along with the upcoming produce season and Roadcheck, the window for material declines appears limited."
Medium-duty orders are up 10% year over year to 17,919 units.
"After gradually slowing through 2025 on tariffs and sagging consumer sentiment, the recent improvement likely reflects resilient consumer spending and some regulation-driven dealer stocking," Vieth says.
