Preliminary NA Class 8 and MD Orders Pull Back in September

ACT Research reports OEMs are being judicious in fully opening 2022 order books when there is not clear visibility of supply-chain capacity next year

Preliminary NA Class 8 net orders in September were 27,400 units, while NA Classes 5-7 net orders dropped to 24,500 units, both representing lower sequential readings. Complete industry data for September, including final order numbers, will be published by ACT Research in mid-October.

“September traditionally marks the transition from the annual summer order trough into fall peak order activity,” said Kenny Vieth, ACT’s President and Senior Analyst. He continued, “However, with demand indicators from freight activity to freight rates and carrier profits in blatant contrast to equipment shortages and capacity constraints across all transportation modes, it is understandable that September’s Classes 5-8 order volume could be construed as disappointing relative to the economic set-up.”

Vieth concluded, “It is important to note that it is not demand, but supply that is dictating new order activity, as OEMs are being judicious in fully opening 2022 order books when there is not clear visibility of supply-chain capacity next year. And, while the story is just starting to develop, recent reports of energy sector issues in China dampen hope for the current supply situation to surprise on the high-side in terms of recovery timing.”

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