Despite the modest growth in Class 8 truck orders in North America, sales are down 30 percent year-over-year, according to the latest report from ACT Research on the State of the Industry. August orders posted a 15 percent increase over July. Medium-duty numbers were 75 percent higher than last year, largely driven by the demand for buses. Though there was a seemingly significant increase, orders were still off 26 percent from last August. ACT analysts regarded the increases with caution, saying there was no anticipated demand to result in significant replacement buying.

COLUMBUS, Ind. — North American net orders of Class 8 trucks reached their highest level since November 2008 in August, but remain down 30% year-over-year, according to ACT Research’s latest State of the Industry Report.

August Class 8 orders were 15% higher than in July.

Medium-duty orders, meanwhile, were up 75% in August compared to the prior year, driven largely by demand for buses. Medium-duty truck orders hit a five-month high in August, but were still down 26% compared to last August, ACT reported. Buses and step-vans provided the strongest orders.

“Even though hauling capacity has been coming out of the market through below replacement level retail sales and strong exports of used equipment, Class 8 overcapacity remains an issue limiting near-term demand, ” said Kenny Vieth, partner and senior analyst with ACT. “While order activity has begun to make modest strides, there is no suggestion that demand is poised for a sustained break-out above replacement level volumes any time soon.”

[source - trucknews.com]