FTR: Class 8 truck orders top 40,000 in North America again in December

Freight forecaster reports Class 8 truck orders for North America exceeded 40,000 units for the third consecutive month.    According to preliminary data from industry forecaster FTR Transportation Intelligence, net orders for Class 8 trucks in North America reached 43,620 in December 2014. This marks the third consecutive month in which Class 8 orders surpassed 40,000.
   Total 2014 Class 8 truck orders for North America reached 375,000 units, the second highest order year in history, exceeded only in 2004, and fourth quarter 2014 orders were exceeded only by those in the first quarter of 2006.
   Don Ake, FTR’s vice president of commercial vehicles, said that the December order numbers show strong momentum in the market. “Reports are that more than 75% of the larger fleets have their 2015 orders booked,” Ake added. “One OEM reportedly has lead times for volume orders out to July. With build slots at a premium, fleets have accelerated orders for 2015 requirements to reserve their places for future deliveries.  Some of these orders will inevitably be moved out or even cancelled, but for now the industry is very bullish on the 2015 truck market.”