Heavy-duty order backlog grows in May

June 22, 2011

North American Class 8 net orders returned to trend in May as orders fell to 23,300 units (not SA). Despite falling well below April’s overheated intake, May’s Class 8 orders were 77% above the same month last year. That was strong enough to fuel continued growth in industry backlog, according to ACT Research Co. (ACT).

“Despite falling nearly 40% from April, May was nevertheless the eighth consecutive month of strong Class 8 order activity. It is worth noting April’s level of order intake was unsustainable, so the pullback in May’s order volume was anticipated,” says Kenny Vieth, president and senior analyst at ACT. “Even though orders were less robust and industry build rates continued to grow, the Class 8 backlog grew for a ninth straight month in May.”

ACT is a global publisher of new and used commercial vehicle industry data, market analysis and forecasting services for the North American market, as well as the U.S. tractor-trailer market and the China CV market. For more information on ACT, please visit http://www.actresearch.net.