North American Class 8 truck orders fell for the fourth straight month to 19,624 units according to preliminary data from FTR.

Truck orders fell 2% compared to May and are down 25% compared to this time last year. Despite the consistent decreases, FTR says that the drop in orders should not be a cause for concern. The summer is usually a weak time for truck orders and will likely remain so until through July and possibly August. 

There are few build slots available due to still solid backlogs and orders of Class 8 trucks over the last six months have equated to an annual rate of 305,000 units.

“Fleets right now are evaluating their 2016 requirements, and quoting activity by the OEMs has just started,” said Don Ake, FTR vice president of commercial vehicles. “Class 8 orders will remain rather subdued until the fall order season kicks in this October."

The final numbers for June will be available later in the month as part of FTR’s North American Commercial Truck & Trailer Outlook service.