According to ACT Research, preliminary North American Class 8 net orders in February were 23,600 units, up 13% year over year and 27% month to month, while Classes 5-7 net orders were 17,500 units. Complete industry data for February, including final order numbers, will be published in mid-March.

“We do not forecast orders, but given how robust Class 8 orders were into year end, coupled with cautious readings from the ACT Class 8 Dashboard, we noted at Seminar 68 that we expect SA orders in a range of 15-20k in the near term,” Eric Crawford, vice president and senior analyst of ACT, said. “Thus, February’s SA 22,400 represents a modest upside to our expectation. Combined with January, SA orders have averaged 19,700 units year to date.

“MD demand took a modest step down. February Classes 5-7 orders declined 11% year to year (-2% month over month) to 17,500 units. The seasonally adjusted February intake, at 16,400 units, declined 12% year to year and (-9% month over month).”