Total net orders for Class 8 trucks in December totaled 8,775 units, the weakest monthly order activity since mid-2002, according to information from FTR Associates, Nashville IN.
FTR predicts the December data foretells a very soft start to 2009. The number of trucks ordered includes those in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and exports. The December order activity is lower by 45 percent than the same month in 2007. Final data for December and total 2008 will be available from FTR later in the month.