Net orders for Class 8 trucks in February jumped 19.7 percent from January, when orders were the lowest since 2002

, according to preliminary data released by FTR Associates.

In February, net orders for all major North American OEMs were at 7,628 units, which was above the February 2009 figures. However, orders were still below the 2009 average of 10,064 units, FTR said. The figure includes U.S., Canada, Mexico and exports.

"The February numbers were what we expected," said Eric Starks, president of FTR. "Our forecast models continue to predict slow recovery in new Class 8 orders impacted by 2010 EPA emission regulations and the large inventory of useable vehicles in the market. We don't expect a good bounce in Class 8 demand until 2011."

Final data for February will be available from FTR later in the month.