ACT Research reported Wednesday final North American Class 8 net orders totaled 22,562 units in July.
That total was up slightly from preliminary estimates, down 29% from June and up 71% against 2025 on a seasonally adjusted basis. ACT attributes the month-over-month decline not to a drop in demand, but the impact of full 2026 build slots, with remaining production capacity for the year oversubscribed by 35,000 units.
“Robust demand for new equipment continues, supported by improved spot and contract rates, as evidenced by the recent earnings strength among publicly traded truckload carriers,” says Carter Vieth, research analyst at ACT Research.
[RELATED: Trailer orders surprisingly robust in July]
“While ongoing EPA uncertainty could influence the coming order ramp, carrier profitability is rising quickly, and freight conditions are improving across the board.”
