High Cancellations Hurt July Class 8 Truck Orders
It looks like July was another off month for Class 8 truck orders as industry analysts are predicting some of the lowest numbers since 2010.

Photo: Tom Berg

It looks like July was another off month for Class 8 truck orders as industry analysts are predicting some of the lowest numbers since 2010, according to preliminary numbers from ACT Research and FTR.
FTR is predicting Class 8 truck orders will come in at around 10,400 units while ACT Research is projecting 10,500 units for the month. Both forecasts are well below July 2015 orders and mark one of the weakest months since 2010. Compared to June, orders were down 19%, which FTR attributed to higher than normal order cancellations in the month.
“Usually there are a low number of cancellations in July, but not this year," said Don Ake, FTR's vice president of Commercial Vehicles. "The high cancellations are likely the result of fleets placing large orders at the end of 2015, for delivery a year out. OEMs are trying to confirm Q4 production, with some orders shaking out of the backlog as a result.”
Class 5-7 medium duty truck orders remained “on trend” according to ACT Research, which projects July’s orders to hit 14,500 units. This is down from June’s order numbers, which hit 15,200 units.
“In line with the two-speed U.S. economy of healthy consumers and weak industrial activity, the two-speed commercial vehicle story continued to unfold in July,” said Kenny Vieth, ACT’s president and senior analyst. “Medium duty orders remained on trend, while Class 8 orders continued to soften.”
More Fleet Management

FTR Says Freight Rates Surged in May
FTR's Trucking Conditions Index surged to a record high in May, the analytics firm reports.
Read More →
Meet HDT's Truck Fleet Innovators at Heavy Duty Trucking Exchange
Heavy Duty Trucking Exchange brings fleet managers and suppliers together for the deeper conversations that lead to ideas, partnerships, and solutions. Time is running out to apply for HDTX, September 23-25.
Read More →
Enhance Fleet Performance with High-Efficiency Auxiliary Power Units
Drive sustainable cost savings while increasing driver comfort during short- and long-haul logistics operations.
Read More →
Is Your Parts Procurement Process Reactive or Proactive?
Ready to revamp your parts procurement process? Learn how now with “Strategic Parts Purchasing: A Process Checklist”
Read More →
What Trucking Events are Happening in 2026?
Looking for trucking-related conventions, expos, and other events? Heavy Duty Trucking has developed this list of national and larger regional trucking shows and events.
Read More →
Truckload Rates Keep Rising as Tight Capacity Fuels Freight Market Recovery
Spot and contract rates continued climbing in May and June, not because freight demand is surging, but because fewer trucks and drivers are available.
Read More →
What Geotab's New AI Connector Means for Fleets
Fleets can now ask their usual AI assistants questions about maintenance, safety, fuel use, and vehicle performance, using their live Geotab data, and take action on the answers without leaving their preferred AI tool.
Read More →
New C.H. Robinson Tool Opens Door to More Predictable Freight
BidBoardX lets carriers search, bid on, and secure committed freight opportunities through a single digital marketplace.
Read More →
New York City's Microhub Project is Delivering Results
Trucking, last-mile delivery companies, and environmental advocates like what they are seeing so far with New York's microhub program.
Read More →
Why Truck Detention Keeps Costing Fleets Time and Money
A 2024 ATRI study found detention affects nearly 40% of truckload stops and costs the industry more than $15 billion annually. Despite the toll on drivers, fleets, and supply chains, the problem remains stubbornly persistent.
Read More →

