Class 8 truck total net orders for all major North American OEM’s increased 17 percent over September to 27,395 units, reports FTR Associates.
Order figures show a year-over-year increase of 46 percent, and the third consecutive month of increasing order activity.
Orders for the three-month period including August, September and October annualize to 287,500 units.
“The uptick in orders was anticipated and came in at the high end of those expectations. The healthy order activity signals that the sluggish economy is not negatively impacting carriers,” says Eric Starks, president of FTR. “October typically is the beginning of the strongest ordering season for trucks with expected delivery in Q1 and Q2 of the following year. The current order activity is a good beginning for Q4 2011 and should solidify early 2012 OEM build plans.”
Meanwhile, the Q4 2011 Fleet Sentiment Report by CK Commercial Vehicle Research shows a 22 percent improvement over 2010.
The survey indicates stronger planned order activity, especially at larger fleet operations.
A majority of fleets surveyed in October reported equilibrium between their available equipment and the amount of freight they have to haul.
However, almost half continue to be limited by driver shortage issues either to fill current seats or for any additional capacity plans, says the firm.
