Class 8 orders for April drop

May 8, 2009
Preliminary data shows Class 8 total net orders for all major North American OEM’s were dropping 9% in April compared to March, according to information from FTR Associates, Nashville IN

Preliminary data shows Class 8 total net orders for all major North American OEM’s were dropping 9% in April compared to March, according to information from FTR Associates, Nashville IN.

We don’t see any near term increases in Class 8 order activity because the fundamentals of the trucking industry today don’t support that," said Eric Starks, FTR president. "FTR takes a hard look at everything likely to impact Class 8 sales, and right now that data indicate no significant improvement in new equipment demand."

Orders totaled 7,935 units in April. The data include orders for the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Exports.

According to the preliminary data, April 2009 orders, 57% less than April 2008, reflect an annualized rate of 95,220 units and continue to represent a significantly depressed Class 8 retail sales environment.

Final data for April will be available from FTR later in May as part of FTR's North American Commercial Truck and Trailer Outlook service.