FTR Associates has released preliminary data showing May Class 8 truck net orders at 22,541, a slight 2% drop from April numbers. Orders have been relatively flat since January with monthly totals above 20,000 for six consecutive months.
May 2013 order activity annualizes to 270,500 units and compares favorably to May 2012 with a 29% increase year over year. Preliminary order numbers are for all major North American OEMs.
Eric Starks, FTR's president, says: "Order activity for May was stable with only a small drop from April. This is a positive sign for this time of year as we tend to see orders drop heading into the summer months. Despite the strength in activity we do not see it adding to upside potential for production during 2013. When the final order data is available mid-month we will be looking at when those orders are expected for delivery. That will help us determine the strength of near-term activity. If orders are for late 2013 or 2014 delivery then we will know that truckers are still hesitant about 2013."
Final data for May will be available from FTR later in the month as part of its North American Commercial Truck & Trailer Outlook service.