Heavy truck orders increase significantly: FTR

NASHVILLE, Ind. — Maybe there’s a pre-buy after all?

Preliminary data showing Class 8 net orders for all major North American OEM’s totaled 21,792 units in October, reflecting a definite upsurge in order activity, report truck market analysts at FTR Associates.

October’s order volume is a 104 percent increase over September and a 117 percent year-over-year increase.

For the last three months, Class 8 orders were received at an annualized rate of 172,300, significantly better than early 2009.

The October increase, says FTR President Eric Starks, is due to the filling up of remaining 2009 production slots for trucks with 2007 engine technology in order to avoid the new EPA-mandated 2010 engines, which due to tighter emission standards will be more expensive and will employ new technology.

What’s more, the order activity was broad-based among the OEMs from fleets of various sizes and did not appear to be dealer restocking.

"We are encouraged that fleets have developed enough confidence in the economic recovery that they have been willing to make such commitments at this time," said Starks.

However, he said that small pre-buy will take orders away from 2010, "so our forecast for next year remains very conservative until we see economic activity to support solid orders going forward."