Preliminary data from FTR Associates is showing July Class 8 truck net orders at 17,307 the lowest level since September 2012.
Orders were also down from June by 7 percent, but compared to the same month a year ago, were up a respectable 38 percent.
“Orders were generally in line with expectations (but weighted towards the lower end) given the normal softness seen during the summer months," explained Eric Starks, FTR’s president. "Going forward, we will be watching the August order numbers closely. Any further softening in the numbers would suggest that FTR would likely need to lower the Q4 production forecast. However, the recent uptick in manufacturing keeps us optimistic that order activity will remain at healthy levels.”
Total class 8 orders for 2012 came to 224,600, and so far for 2013, orders are at 251,700 units.
