FTR Associates has released preliminary data showing Class 8 net orders for all major North American OEM's totaling 10,758 units in August, the strongest showing since November 2008. The figure includes orders for the US, Canada, Mexico and Exports. Order activity for August was 19.9% better than the previous month and represents an annualized rate of 129,096 units. Eric Starks, President of FTR said, 'FTR is cautiously optimistic about the increased August preliminary Class 8 net orders; however we believe some of the orders being placed are in response to 2010 EPA emissions requirements. We still expect any recovery in the transportation industry to be slow and bumpy through next year.'
Final data for August will be available from FTR later in the month as part of their North American Commercial Truck & Trailer Outlook service.
FTR Associates, located in Nashville, IN has been a leader in transportation forecasting for over 20 years. The company's US Freight Model collects and analyzes all data likely to impact freight movement and is based on specific characteristics for over 200 commodity groups.
