Net Orders, Backlogs, Rise in March
Orders for Class 8 trucks in North America rose to about 29,000 in March, according to industry analysis and forecasting firms, more than 150 percent from a year ago
Orders for Class 8 trucks in North America rose to about 29,000 in March, according to industry analysis and forecasting firms, more than 150 percent from a year ago.
ACT Research's preliminary figures were at 29,200 units in March, up 159 percent from one year ago and represented the largest monthly order intake since May 2006. FTR Associates put the number at 28,871, a 20 percent increase over February preliminary orders and a 155 percent increase over the same period in 2010.
March finished off a second consecutive quarter of elevated Class 8 demand, ACT notes. Orders were booked in excess of a 300,000-unit annualized rate from October to March. Industry backlogs, which fell just short of 100,000 units in February, likely rose by another 8,000 to 10,000 units in March.
FTR says the March order activity supports its recent increase in its 2011 projections for Class 8 truck sales.
"The first quarter has been very positive for incoming orders, with fleets placing orders primarily for replacement units due to aged equipment," said Eric Starks, president of FTR. "Orders for added capacity vehicles are few at the moment, with some fleets still looking for good drivers to fill current seats. Even in face of growing truck freight, driver supply constraints will continue to restrain plans to add capacity."
Another concern is whether the industry can meet the demand for new trucks.
"With the uptrend firmly established, the question for 2011 is now the industry's ability to meet demand, instead of whether demand would rise to expectations," said Kenny Vieth, president and senior analyst at ACT. "History shows that production always chases demand at the beginning of the cycle. Unlike orders, the industry needs to work in unison to raise production."
A number of truck makers and suppliers expressed concerns about this issue during last week's Mid-America Trucking Show, although they noted it was a better problem to have than the record low numbers of truck sales the industry has faced over the past couple of years.
More Fleet Management

Truckload Rates Keep Rising as Tight Capacity Fuels Freight Market Recovery
Spot and contract rates continued climbing in May and June, not because freight demand is surging, but because fewer trucks and drivers are available.
Read More →
What Geotab's New AI Connector Means for Fleets
Fleets can now ask their usual AI assistants questions about maintenance, safety, fuel use, and vehicle performance, using their live Geotab data, and take action on the answers without leaving their preferred AI tool.
Read More →
New C.H. Robinson Tool Opens Door to More Predictable Freight
BidBoardX lets carriers search, bid on, and secure committed freight opportunities through a single digital marketplace.
Read More →
New York City's Microhub Project is Delivering Results
Trucking, last-mile delivery companies, and environmental advocates like what they are seeing so far with New York's microhub program.
Read More →
Why Truck Detention Keeps Costing Fleets Time and Money
A 2024 ATRI study found detention affects nearly 40% of truckload stops and costs the industry more than $15 billion annually. Despite the toll on drivers, fleets, and supply chains, the problem remains stubbornly persistent.
Read More →
Time is Running Out to Apply for Exclusive HDT Event
Heavy Duty Trucking Exchange brings fleet managers and suppliers together for the deeper conversations that lead to ideas, partnerships, and solutions. Time is running out to apply for the September event.
Read More →
Amazon Launches Less-Than-Truckload Freight Offering for All Businesses
This launch is the latest addition to Amazon Supply Chain Services, a portfolio of supply chain capabilities from Amazon, including freight, distribution, fulfillment, and parcel shipping.
Read More →
Import Cargo Volume to See Year-Over-Year Gain Again in June, Then Remain Below 2025 Levels Into Fall
After July, the report predicts a weakening in import volume as consumer uncertainty remains high and the impact of increasing inflation takes its toll.
Read More →
AUCTION OF EQUITY INTEREST IN HEAVY HAUL TRUCKING COMPANY!!
Mark your calendar: June 30, 2026 (10:00 a.m. PDT). A 37.5% ownership interest in MagnaTrans, LLC, a California limited liability company doing business as Magna Transportation Group, will be sold in an in-person and online auction to the highest bidder or bidders under Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code. The Rancho Cucamonga-based heavy haul and over-dimensional trucking company operates across California, Oregon, and Arizona.
Read More →
Volvo Trucks Adds Unattended Over-the-Air Software Update Capabilities
The latest evolution of Volvo’s over-the-air update technology allows software updates to run while trucks are parked, helping fleets keep vehicles current without disrupting operations.
Read More →

