ACT Research reported Friday final North American Class 8 net orders totaled 26,576 units in May, up 12% from April and 104% year over year on a seasonally adjusted basis.
“Demand for new equipment remains robust, driven by the sustained and supply-side-led run up in freight rates and looming cost increases associated with EPA’27 regulations come January 1,” says Carter Vieth, research analyst at ACT Research. “With freight conditions quickly improving, tractor orders rose 126% year over year, totaling 19,098 units in May. Vocational Class 8 orders totaled 7,478 units, increasing 63% y/y. With AI hyperscalers spending ~$15–$20 billion per week on infrastructure, vocational demand continues to benefit from tech tailwinds.”
In the medium-duty sector, Classes 5-7 orders were up 37% year over year to 19,725 units, which Vieth says perhaps reflects continued U.S. economic resilience, particularly among consumers, despite record, or near record, low confidence levels.
“Orders this month suggest some level of dealer inventory stocking ahead of 2027, especially as recent customer anecdotes indicate lack of large order appetite for medium duty.”
