May was another strong month for Class 8 orders, preliminary data from ACT Research and FTR Transportation Intelligence says.
May North America Class 8 preliminary net orders increased 103% to 26,500 units, supported by better rates and regulatory clarity, ACT Research says. FTR, meanwhile, says orders hit 26,600 units, up 4% month over month and 124% year over year.
"Class 8 order strength continued in May, with preliminary orders of 26,500 units, up 103% year over year and 12% month over month, respectively," says Carter Vieth, research analyst at ACT. "Despite the lack of build slots remaining in 2026 and entering what is historically a weak seasonal order period, new equipment demand remains buoyed by materially improved spot and contract rates, on top of regulatory clarity."
[RELATED: April's data show slowing Class 8 orders]
Through May, FTR says order intake for 2026 is 112% higher than last year, improving backlog visibility for truck manufacturers. The higher number of orders also suggests the remaining build slots for this year are likely to fill up or sell out before August.
"The May result reinforces that demand remains healthy, supported by replacement needs, firming freight rates, rising utilization, tighter capacity, limited remaining 2026 build availability and moderate EPA 2027 NOx pre-buy activity," says Dan Moyer, senior analyst of commercial vehicles at FTR. "At the same time, the order place is likely to slow as normal summer seasonality takes hold and 2026 build slots become increasingly limited."
He says the cycle now depends if truck manufacturers can execute against a stronger backlog as build execution, supplier readiness, labor availability and delivery timing will become even more important.
Also, FTR says, the recovery is not universal. Retail sales are softer and carrier profitability remains a concern.
"Risks remain," Moyer says. "If freight improvement stalls, financing pressure persists, geopolitical risks are not resolved or the final EPA rule materially differs from expectations, some fleets could defer or cancel orders placed to secure 2026 capacity."
Medium-duty truck orders were up 32% year over year to 19,000 units in May.
"A moderate improvement from year-ago levels that may partially reflect the U.S.'s economic resilience, but given EPA '27 is edging closer, may reflect some level of dealer stocking," Vieth says.
The preliminary data was released in ACT's State of the Industry: Classes 5-8 Vehicles.
