Class 8 Orders Hit Second-Best July Ever
Near-record-setting Class 8 truck orders of nearly 30,000 in July mean the industry is on track to potentially reach 325,000 Class 8 trucks this year, according to preliminary figures from two industry research groups.
Near-record-setting Class 8 truck orders of nearly 30,000 in July mean the industry is on track to potentially reach 325,000 Class 8 trucks this year, according to preliminary figures from two industry research groups.
Preliminary July 2014 North American Class 8 truck net orders came in at 29,516 units, a tremendous 71% year-over-year increase and the second best July ever, according to industry research firm FTR.
Class 8 orders have now had 18 consecutive months with year-over-year increases. OEMs continue to increase build rates in response to solid demand for Class 8 trucks and this level of orders will challenge capacity constraints by year end.
Class 8 orders for the latest six-month period through July annualize to 325,000 units, FTR says.
“July is typically the weakest month of the year for orders, but the market is actually gaining strength in the summer," said Don Ake, FTR vice president of commercial vehicles.
"This is the third straight month of order increases," Ake said. "Orders for the last 12 months have been 312,000 units, so production should catch up at some point.”
Meanwhile, another trucking research firm, ACT, published preliminary Class 8 net orders just slightly higher at 29,900 units. Orders increased 12% over June, bucking typical seasonal trends which usually fall from June to July.
This also was the highest since January on an unadjusted basis, pointed out Michael Baudendistel with the transportation research group of investment firm Stifel.
“In addition to a continuation of the ongoing strong order trend, some of the non-seasonal strength in July might be related to the rapidly dwindling supply of available build slots in 2014," noted Kenny Vieth, ACT president and senior analyst.
Preliminary net orders of Class 5-7 (medium-duty) trucks totaled 15,500 units, up 3% from the previous month but were down 4% over a year ago.
"Class 5-7 [comparisons] look worse than the Class 8 data because medium-duty orders improved earlier in 2013 and Class 5-7 net orders averaged a very healthy 17,300 from April 2013-November 2013, Baudendistel said.
Updated 8/5/2014, 1:15 EDT, to add comments from Kenny Vieth.
More Equipment

Carrier Transicold Adds All-Electric TRU for Stationary Cold Storage
Carrier Transicold’s new Vector 8200 all-electric transport refrigeration unit gives fleets a diesel-free option for temporary refrigerated and frozen trailer storage.
Read More →A Closer Look at Kenworth’s Electric T880E Vocational Truck
Learn more about Kenworth's T880E battery-electric vocational truck at the Paccar Technical Center, including its range, applications, upfitting considerations, and PTO options.
Read More →
Kenworth T880E Brings EV Power to Vocational Trucks
A closer look at the Kenworth T880E’s range, charging, powertrain and upfit options — and where fleets are showing the most interest.
Read More →
What the U.S.-Canada Trade War Means for Trucking
Escalating U.S.-Canada tariffs could disrupt cross-border freight, reduce truck volumes, raise costs, and create new uncertainty for carriers on both sides of the border.
Read More →
Autonomous Truck Testing Moves Ahead in California as Teamsters Challenge Rules
California has begun permitting heavy-duty autonomous truck testing, with Aurora and Kodiak among the first to receive approval, as the Teamsters sue the DMV over the new regulations.
Read More →Behind the Wheel of the New Mack Anthem [Video]
HDT takes the new Mack Anthem around Mack’s Pennsylvania test track to see how its driver-focused design, technology, visibility and handling perform from behind the wheel.
Read More →
DTNA Plans New U.S. Truck Plant as Manufacturing Footprint Shifts
Daimler Truck North America is evaluating sites for a new assembly plant expected to open in 2029 while winding down operations at its longtime Portland manufacturing facility.
Read More →
Great Dane Flatbed Trailer Offers Light Weight and Strength
Freedom Ultra is designed for a wide range of open-deck applications, including building materials, lumber, machinery, steel products, industrial freight, and coil hauling.
Read More →
What It's Like Inside this Custom 2025 Peterbilt 589?
Take a driver's-eye tour of this customized 2025 Peterbilt 589 in this video, as longtime driver Ingrid Brown explains its features, compares it to previous models, and shares plenty of personality along the way.
Read More →Drivers Put Western Star Trucks to the Test at Star Nation Experience
Watch to get an inside look at the Western Star trucks, technology, and community behind the Star Nation Experience 2026!
Read More →
