The notable drop off in October Class 8 orders reported by FTR Tuesday was confirmed and expanded by ACT Research Wednesday.
The company reported preliminary Class 8 order estimate for October of just 13,500 units, a 45% dip against 2025 that ACT Research attributes to a combination of unresolved regulatory questions ahead of EPA 2027 implementation, ongoing cost pressures and midterm political uncertainty, despite continued strength in spot freight rates.
“While spot rates remain supportive of equipment demand, the lack of clarity around EPA 2027 rules and associated costs has left OEMs and fleets unable to plan for next year,” says Carter Vieth, research analyst at ACT Research. “It’s not a lack of desire for new equipment holding fleets back, but rather the inability to make informed investment decisions in the face of regulatory and economic uncertainty.”
That sentiment was echoed by FTR in its reporting.
Demand was stronger in the medium-duty space, ACT Research adds, with preliminary Classes 5-7 net orders rising 14% year-over-year to 18,000 units in October. The company says that performance represents a continuing of the segment’s recovery from last year’s soft volumes.
