Preliminary June Class 8 net orders in North America totaled 31,400 units, according to ACT Research. Orders were up 231% year-over-year, with complete June industry data and final order numbers expected from ACT in mid-July.
ACT said strong order activity is adding to an already full Class 8 backlog. The company said the June Class 8 net orders could point to higher-than-expected industry builds into year-end or more orders spilling into the first half of 2027.
Freight Rates Support Class 8 Demand
Carter Vieth, research analyst at ACT Research, said the strong June order intake continues a seven-month run of Class 8 activity supported by trucking industry recovery.
“Truckers only buy trucks when they make money,” Vieth said. “Underscoring the rapid change in carrier fortunes, freight rates continue to soar.”
ACT said the current order environment reflects a supply-led and demand-supported recovery in trucking.
Medium-Duty Orders Rise 67%
Preliminary Classes 5-7 orders rose 67% Y/Y to 20,700 units in June.
Vieth said continued U.S. economic resilience is supporting medium-duty demand. However, he added that near-record-low consumer sentiment and sticker shock for small and medium fleets suggest June medium-duty orders were driven largely by dealer inventory stocking ahead of 2027.