FTR released preliminary data showing January 2015 North American Class 8 truck net orders at 35,060 units, the strongest activity for January since 2006.
“Even though orders were their lowest in the last four months, the market remains very robust,” said Don Ake, FTR vice president of commercial vehicles. “Fleets are now trying to determine their requirements for the entire year and then place orders accordingly.”
Ake predicts that with limited build slots available, fleets have to be strategic in their buying decisions, and the industry will see more normal ordering cycles for the next few months.