Class 8 truck orders rose in July

Total orders for all major North American original equipment Class 8 truck manufacturers came to 9,002 units last month, a 9.6% increase over June production levels, according to FTR Associates, a trucking industry forecaster.

"This is the second straight monthly improvement coming on the heels of June's 9.7% increase over May," say FTR officials. Figures include orders for the U.S., Canada and Mexico, as well as export markets.