Class 8 net orders in March were 19,200 units, down 10 percent year over year (-19 percent month over month), while NA Classes 5-7 net orders were 18,600 units. Complete industry data for March, including final order numbers, will be published by ACT Research in mid-April.

“Given how robust Class 8 orders were into year-end and ensuing backlog support, coupled with increasingly cautious readings from the ACT Class 8 Dashboard (-6 on average year to date in 2023, vs. -3 on average from March-December 2022), we have expected SA orders in a range of 15,000-20,000 units per month into mid Q3’23,” shared Eric Crawford, ACT’s Vice President and Senior Analyst. “After coming in stronger than expected last month, SA Class 8 orders fell back within the 15,000-20,000 range, and have averaged 19,500 units year to date,”

He added, “Medium-duty demand declined Y/Y by double digits for the second consecutive month. March Classes 5-7 orders declined 15 percent Y/Y (+9 percent MM to 18,600 units. The seasonally adjusted March intake, at 16,900 units, declined 16 percent Y/Y (+6 percent M/M).”

ACT’s State of the Industry: Classes 5-8 Vehicles report provides a monthly look at the current production, sales, and general state of the on-road heavy and medium duty commercial vehicle markets in North America.