US truck demand trends down
Preliminary data from ACT research shows North America class 8 truck net orders reached 20,800 units in September, down 44% year-on-year. On a seasonally adjusted basis, orders totalled 18,800 units, equal to an annualised rate of 225,000 according to Carter Vieth, research analyst at ACT research. Demand continues to fall amid the longest downturn for for-hire carriers, with freight rates running below inflation, ongoing tariff uncertainty and pending EPA 'low-NOx' regulation weighing on the market.
Medium-duty orders also fell, with Classes 5-7 down 22% year-on-year to 15,500 units. Seasonally adjusted figures put the total at 14,400, or 173,000 on an annualised basis. ACT Research noted that consumer pessimism, decreased services growth and economic uncertainty continue to depress medium-duty demand. Final industry figures for September will be published later in October. (js)