FTR Associates has released preliminary data showing July Class 8 truck net orders at 17,307 the lowest level since September 2012. 

July orders were down 7% from June; however they were 38% better than the same month a year ago. Class 8 orders for 2012 totaled 224,600; current year orders for the six month period that includes July annualize to 251,700 units. 

Preliminary order numbers are for all major North American OEMs.

Eric Starks, FTR’s president, commented: “Orders were generally in line with expectations (but weighted towards the lower end) given the normal softness seen during the summer months. Going forward, we will be watching the August order numbers closely.

"Any further softening in the numbers would suggest that FTR would likely need to lower the Q4 production forecast. However, the recent uptick in manufacturing keeps us optimistic that order activity will remain at healthy levels.”