According to preliminary data from ACT Research, North American Class 8 net orders in August reached 36,900 units, while Classes 5-7 net orders jumped to 31,900 units, both representing five-month high readings. ACT Research will release complete industry data for August, including final order numbers, in mid-September.

“Demand for commercial vehicles was alive and well in August, as the Classes 5-7 market continued to build on record-setting volumes. And after a period of moderation related to limited 2022 build slot access, Class 8 orders began their climb into the end of 2021,” Kenny Vieth, president and senior analyst at ACT Research, said. “While the supports for new vehicle demand remain in unprecedented territory, the industry’s ability to convert that demand into vehicles remains constrained by numerous supply-side issues that begin with, but are not limited to, semi-conductors. As such, production challenges are likely to weigh on orders, even as backlogs continue to rise.

“Despite the orderboard being essentially sold out into Q2 of next year, Class 8 orders rallied to a five-month high, and a buoyant consumer economy continues to drive medium-duty vehicle demand, resulting in a five-month high for that segment and marking the fifth best order month for medium-duty vehicles in ACT’s nearly 40 years of monthly recordkeeping.”