FTR Associates has released preliminary data showing Class 8 total net orders for all major North American OEM's totaling 7,935 units in April, down 9 percent from March.


April 2009 orders, 57 percent less than April 2008, reflect an annualized rate of 95,220 units and continue to represent a significantly depressed Class 8 retail sales environment. The figure includes orders for the U.S., Canada, Mexico and exports.

"We don't see any near term increases in Class 8 order activity because the fundamentals of the trucking industry today don't support that," said Eric Starks, President of FTR Associates. "FTR takes a hard look at everything likely to impact Class 8 sales; and right now that data indicates no significant improvement in new equipment demand."