Strong order volume pushed the Class 8 backlog to almost 108,000 units in March, according to ACT Research.


Class 8 commercial vehicle net orders for the North American markets totaled 28,900 units in March, nearly 4,800 units over February. The backlog is now almost 150 percent above the same time last year, reaching a level not seen since December 2006. ACT Research says that the pace of general economic growth supports this strength in Class 8 demand.

"For the past six months, Class 8 orders have been booked at over 300,000 units on an annualized basis," said Frank Maly, director of CV Transportation Analysis & Research at ACT. "Backlogs continue to grow as strengthening orders outpace production increases. Further improvement in production levels will definitely occur as we proceed through 2011."

For more information: www.actresearch.net