Preliminary August Class 8 truck net orders see annual declines

Preliminary August Class 8 truck net orders saw annual declines, according to data respectively issued this week by FTR and ACT Research.

FTR reported that preliminary August Class 8 truck net orders, at 13,000 units, were up 4% compared to July and fell 14% annually, the eighth straight month of annual declines, with orders “well below” the 10-year average of 23,135 units. Which it said reflects continued fleet caution amid various factors, including trade frictions, tariff volatility, and broader economic uncertainty impacting freight demand. The firm added that over the last 12 months orders came in at 251,997 units.

And for the 2025 order cycle (September 2024-August 2025), FTR said that cumulative orders fell 15% annually, which it said is an indication of headwinds for OEM production planning and supplier networks. Absent a rebound in freight fundamentals, it said fleet order activity is expected to remain muted as the 2026 order boards open this month, limiting near-term capacity additions and delaying freight rate recovery.

“The N.A. Class 8 truck and tractor market faces growing pressure from tariffs, near-record inventory, regulatory uncertainty, and weak freight demand,” said Dan Moyer, senior analyst, commercial vehicles, at FTR. “Tariff increases imposed on August 7 raised costs on vehicles, parts, and key inputs. A recent federal appeals court ruling casts doubt about the legality of country-specific ‘reciprocal’ tariffs, although those tariffs remain in place until at least October 14, pending U.S. Supreme Court review. By contrast, Section 232 tariffs on steel, aluminum, and copper are unaffected by that court ruling and may soon expand to trucks, components, and semiconductors, adding further risk. Uncertainty over 2027 EPA NOx standards is already delaying some fleet purchases and softening near-term demand, while tariff pressures could further suppress 2026 order activity. Fleets are extending truck lifespans and incurring higher maintenance costs. Suppliers are squeezed by input inflation and uneven demand. Dealers are leaning on used equipment and service. And OEMs face profitability pressure, volatile schedules, and greater supply chain exposure. Until tariff and regulatory paths are clarified, the outlook will remain unsettled.”

ACT data: ACT reported that preliminary August Class 8 orders, at 13,200 units, decreased 19% annually.

“A beleaguered for-hire market continues to weigh on Class 8 orders. With elevated uncertainty, particularly around equipment costs, and soft activity in housing and broad freight demand outside of pre-tariff activity, this environment may persist,” said Tim Denoyer, VP & Senior analyst at ACT Research. He continued, “Fleet margin pressure has not abated, with contract rates hardly budging and cost pressures ongoing. Vocational demand has taken its knocks as well this year on a combination of regulatory uncertainty, tariffs, and elevated interest rates, though data centers remain an area of strong activity.”