Final Class 8 order numbers are in for September and the data shows a market tempered by regulatory uncertainty.
ACT Research shows Class 8 orders dropped 7% year over year and 15% month over month to 19,172 units, seasonally adjusted.
[RELATED: Trailer orders up 311% year over year in September]
"Despite the regulatory uncertainty impacting Class 8 orders, fleet appetite for new equipment remains intact. What's missing is planning visibility," says Carter Vieth, research analyst with ACT. "With backlogs still well above historical averages and medium-duty demand showing resilience, the market's underlying fundamentals remain constructive even as the industry navigates a complex regulatory landscape."
The EPA has not yet finalized its 2027 engine rules and associated penalties. Also, even though September is traditionally the start of the order season, not all OEMs have opened order boards.
The medium-duty market, however, is still robust. Class 5-7 orders rose 27% year over year to 20,297 units. This is likely supported by dealer inventory stocking ahead of anticipated 2027 regulatory changes and higher prices.
