Truck orders hit five-year peak

COLUMBUS, Ind. – December net orders of North American heavy-duty class 8 trucks shot up 128 percent year-over-year.

ACT Research Co. (ACT) reports that the 27,044 units ordered in December was the highest monthly total since May of 2006.

Full year 2010 production of was up 30 percent from a very weak 2009, at 154,290 units.

“Unlike previous cycles that have been dominated by the U.S., there is a greater breadth of geographic demand for Class 8 equipment this time,” said Kenny Vieth, president and senior analyst. “While U.S. demand is ramping nicely, orders bound for Canada; Mexico; and non-NAFTA export markets remain at healthy levels."

Medium-duty (classes 5-7) net orders, meanwhile, fell nine percent month-over-month from November, but were up 89 percent on a year-over-year basis.