Class 8 truck orders surge 131% YoY
Medium-duty orders rose 12% YoY in March
North American Class 8 truck orders soared 131% year over year in March to 38,050 units, according to ACT Research.
The surge came despite oil prices climbing up to 70% since the start of the Iran war, Carter Vieth, an analyst at ACT Research, stated in an April 20 report.
“Industry observers worry that elevated fuel costs could reverse recent rate gains, derailing the nascent for-hire recovery, but a driver shortage beginning recently has likely insulated spot rates from fuel headwinds, as immigration enforcement and new FMCSA rules are now beginning to lower the driver population,” Vieth said.
While recent spot- and contract-rate improvements have been the primary driver of Class 8 orders, regulatory changes and expected higher truck prices in 2027 have also “helped spur greater order activity,” he said.
Meanwhile, medium-duty Class 5 to Class 7 orders rose 12% YoY to 20,693 units, according to the report.
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