Feb. Class 8 Demand Down Y/Y; Slow, Steady Rise for MD

For the month of February 39,500 Classes 5-8 vehicle orders were booked on a preliminary basis.

Class 8, garnered 17,900 orders and for Classes 5-7 there were 21,600 orders booked.

“Orders for commercial vehicles in February largely mirrored the ongoing U.S. economic narrative,” said Kenny Vieth, ACT’s President and Senior Analyst. “Healthy consumer-related indicators, such as disposable income, autos and houses, continue to support positive medium-duty demand. At the same time, ongoing weakness in the freight-rich manufacturing sector continues to weigh on heavy-duty demand.”

“February’s Class 8 orders fell 43% year-over-year against a tough February 2015 comparison. Class 8 orders were in-line with January, however, down just 2% in a shorter and seasonally weaker order month,” said Vieth.

“For medium-duty vehicles, the slow but steady rise in the order trend remained evident in February, with orders rising 9% compared to a year ago and 24% from January’s tepid intake,” said Vieth.

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