May preliminary North America Class 8 net orders of 26.5K units increased 103% year over year. Complete industry data for May, including final order numbers, will be published by ACT Research in mid-June.
“Class 8 order strength continued in May, with preliminary orders of 26,500 units, up 103% Y/Y and 12% M/M, respectively,” Carter Vieth, research analyst at ACT Research, said. “Despite the lack of build slots remaining in 2026 and entering what is historically a weak seasonal order period, new equipment demand remains buoyed by materially improved spot and contract rates, on top of regulatory clarity.”
Regarding medium duty, he added, “Preliminary Classes 5-7 orders rose 32% Y/Y to 19,000 units in May. A moderate improvement from year-ago levels that may partially reflect the U.S.’s economic resilience, but given EPA’27 is edging closer, may reflect some level of dealer stocking.”
