FTR Associates has released preliminary data showing July Class 8 truck net orders at 12,568 units, the lowest month for orders since August 2010 and 32% below the same month last year. Preliminary order numbers are for all major North American OEMs.
July orders came in 23% below weak June activity and continue reflecting soft demand for Class 8 vehicles. For the three-month period including July, orders now annualize to 186,300 units.
Eric Starks, FTR president says: “While orders came in below expectations, they didn't really surprise us. We have been forecasting slower sales of Class 8 vehicles in the second half of 2012 for some time, and the reported order numbers for July support our current outlook for the remainder of the year.”