Preliminary North America Class 8 net order data from ACT Research revealed that the industry booked 42,200 units in June, exceeding 40,000 units for the fourth time in six months.

“Preliminary net order data indicate that demand for Class 8 trucks continued to be strong in June, improving 133% compared to year-ago June orders,” said Kenny Vieth, ACT’s president and senior analyst. “As June is typically a weak order month, the robust actual order volume boosts June’s seasonally adjusted volume to the best of the cycle and second best of all time at 48,200 units. Through year-to-date June, Class 8 orders have been booked at a [492,000] seasonally adjusted annual rate.”

About medium duty orders, Vieth said, “Solid medium duty activity continued in June, if below levels seen through Q1. For the month, preliminary NA Classes 5-7 net orders rose 23% [year-over-year], to 26,400 units. With a favorable boost from seasonality, June’s seasonally adjusted order volume jumped to 29,100 units, bringing Classes 5-7 orders booked through the first half of 2018 to a [320,000] SAAR.”