Truck orders still flexing muscle

COLUMBUS, Ind. — February’s North American class 8 truck orders may be down slightly from the previous month, but are still up substantially over 2010.

A preliminary reading of heavy-duty commercial vehicles net orders totaled 24,300 units in February, according to ACT Research Co.

The numbers show continued strength of the North American class 8 market these past four months.

This period annualized represents an order flow of over 272,200 units (SAAR), says ACT.

"The industry is continuing in 2011 where it left off in 2010," said Steve Tam, VP commercial vehicle sector. "The strength in orders continues to restock industry backlogs and fuel increasing build as the industry moves through the year."