According to ACT Research, preliminary North America Class 8 net order data show the industry booked 53,100 units in August, breaking the all-time record set last month.

Orders from June to August were booked at a 700k seasonally adjusted annual rate.

“Preliminary data indicate that during the month of August, NA Class 8 orders rose 0.9% month-over-month and 150% from August 2017,” said Kenny Vieth, ACT’s president and senior analyst. Super-strong orders in June and July are likely pulling large fleet orders ahead in the schedule, as truckers race to reserve build slots in a market where demand is running well above capacity.”

About medium duty orders, Vieth commented, “Trendy medium duty order activity continued in August, with orders coming in slightly below the average of the previous four months. August preliminary NA Classes 5-7 net orders rose 26% year-over-year and 18% compared to July, at 23,700 units. Seasonality provides a modest boost to August’s medium duty orders, bringing the rise to 24,100 units.”

The NA Class 8 numbers are preliminary. Complete industry data for August, including final order numbers, will be published by ACT in mid-September.