'The market is pausing to take a breather': Class 8 orders down month-over-month

摘要

According to the latest preliminary numbers from FTR and ACT Research, January's Class 8 orders were down somewhat compared to last month, but up compared to the previous January. FTR has preliminary North American Class 8 orders for January at 17,700 units, following a consistent trend over the last four months when orders have averaged 19,000 trucks. The January total, -10% month-over-month and +12% year-over-year, suggests that fleets are ordering only the equipment they are sure they need in the short term, according to FTR. FTR expects Class 8 orders to remain in this narrow range through the first quarter of the year. Class 8 orders for the past 12 months have now totaled 181,000 units. "The Class 8 market remains in equilibrium with orders well matched to production, stuck at close to replacement demand levels," said Don Ake, FTR's vice president of commercial vehicles. "Fleets remain profitable and are continuing to replace older units according to planned cycles. The smaller fleets are being more cautious because revenue is declining from the previous years.