Class 8 sales are typically weak during the summer months, but July 2014 saw a “tremendous” number of orders, according to FTR Associates.
Orders were up 71 percent from July 2013, with 29,516 net, making it the second best month July for orders, FTR reports. Class 8 orders now have had 18 straight months with year-over-year increases.
“In addition to a continuation of the ongoing strong order trend, some of the non-seasonal strength in July might be related to the rapidly dwindling supply of available build slots in 2014, says ACT President Kenny Vieth.
July’s orders were up 12 percent from June and 70 percent from last July, Vieth said.
Despite July being usually the weakest month annually for truck orders, the “market is actually gaining strength in the summer.”
