Both FTR Associates and ACT Research have reported preliminary data for May Class 8 truck net orders that were essentially flat.

ACT Research reports that Class 8 preliminary net orders of 23,300 were a virtual carbon copy of April, and preliminary net orders for Classes 5-7 at 16,700 units were also in line with the previous month’s tally. Final numbers will be released mid-June. The preliminary net order numbers are typically accurate to within 5% of actual.

“May typically represents the start of the slower order season for Class 8. As such, seasonal adjustment pushed May’s order number above the recent trend to 24,300 units,” said Kenny Vieth, president and senior analyst, ACT Research. “The preliminary volume for Classes 5-7 represents a 12% increase compared to last year. With a low but positive factor, seasonal adjustment gave a modest boost to the May order tally at 17,200 units," he added.

FTR Associates has released preliminary data showing May Class 8 truck net orders at roughly 23,541, a slight 2% drop from April numbers. Orders have been relatively flat since January with monthly totals above 20,000 for six consecutive months. May 2013 order activity annualizes to 270,500 units and compares favorably to May 2012 with a 29% increase year over year.

Eric Starks, FTR’s president commented: “Order activity for May was stable with only a small drop from April. This is a positive sign for this time of year as we tend to see orders drop heading into the summer months. Despite the strength in activity we do not see it adding to upside potential for production during 2013. When the final order data is available mid-month we will be looking at when those orders are expected for delivery. That will help us determine the strength of near-term activity. If orders are for late 2013 or 2014 delivery then we will know that truckers are still hesitant about 2013.”