For the month of May, 39,000 Classes 5-8 vehicle orders were booked, down 8% compared to May 2014, according to ACT Research.

“While the order comparisons are negative, looking only at orders does not provide sufficient context in regard to industry health,” said Kenny Vieth, ACT’s president and senior analyst. “Looking back one month to April, Classes 5-8 backlogs were nearly 63,000 units or 37% above their year-ago levels. Hence, orders are softer because many of them have already been placed.”

Class 8 orders posted their lowest monthly net order volume since September 2013 at 20,000 units, a decline of 23% from May 2014. “Rather than simply considering orders to be a harbinger of weakness, broader context is required in passing judgement,” said Vieth. “In addition to few build slots remaining open in 2015, this is the time of the year when Class 8 orders typically slow.”

To view the full ACT Research report, click here.