Preliminary data showing December North American Class 8 truck total net orders is at the second highest level in three years totaling 29,777 units, reported FTR Associates.
Month-over-month, December orders were up 46 percent, with a year-over-year increase from December 2011 of 11 percent, reversing November’s disappointing drop in orders.
“The rebound in orders to finish 2011 reaffirms our confidence that new truck demand will not wane in 2012,” said Jonathan Starks, FTR’s director of transportation analysis.
However, “the final ruling for trucking’s hours-of-service regulations negates any possible positive impact for truck demand in 2012. We expect to see orders ease late in the first quarter as trucking operations prepare for the start of the freight season.”
