Reports: Truck orders surge in May as 2026 slots sell out
North American Class 8 truck orders increased sequentially and year-over-year in May, according to preliminary reports from FTR Intel and ACT Research.
FTR recorded a 4% month-over-month increase to 26,600 units, which is up 124% y/y, marking the fourth consecutive month of more than 120% y/y growth. That tally also is 56% above the 10-year May average of 17,046 units, FTR said. Vocational orders were responsible for most of the modest sequential gain; on-highway orders were relatively flat. Orders totaled 312,902 units over the past 12 months.
Through May, year-to-date order intake is 112% higher than last year while the 2026 order season to date is up 28%. This strength has improved backlog visibility for truck manufacturers and suggests that the remaining 2026 build slots are likely to fill up or effectively sell out before the typical August timeframe. Still, softer retail sales and uneven carrier profitability indicate the recovery is not universal.
“The May result reinforces that demand remains healthy, supported by replacement needs, firming freight rates, rising utilization, tighter capacity, limited remaining 2026 build availability, and moderate EPA 2027 NOx pre-buy activity,” Dan Moyer, FTR senior analyst for commercial vehicles, said in a news release. “At the same time, the order pace is likely to slow as normal summer seasonality takes hold and 2026 build slots become increasingly limited.
“With demand exceptionally strong, the focus of the cycle has now shifted to whether truck manufacturers can execute against the stronger backlog. Build execution, supplier readiness, labor availability, and delivery timing will become increasingly important as 2026 progresses.”
Improving rates buoy demand
ACT’s May tally of 26,500 units represents a 103% y/y increase, the firm reported.
“Class 8 order strength continued in May, with preliminary orders of 26,500 units, up 103% y/y and 12% m/m, respectively,” said Carter Vieth, ACT research analyst. “Despite the lack of build slots remaining in 2026 and entering what is historically a weak seasonal order period, new equipment demand remains buoyed by materially improved spot and contract rates, on top of regulatory clarity.”
Regarding medium duty, Vieth added: “Preliminary Classes 5-7 orders rose 32% y/y to 19,000 units in May. A moderate improvement from year-ago levels that may partially reflect the US’s economic resilience, but given EPA ’27 is edging closer, may reflect some level of dealer stocking.”