Preliminary October Class 8 truck net orders see annual declines

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

FTR reported that preliminary October Class 8 truck net orders, at 24,300 units, saw an 18% gain, from September to October, while falling 22% annually, marking the tenth consecutive month of annual declines, with Class 8 orders coming in at 230,643 units over the last 12 months.

What’s more, the firm added that orders remained well below the 10-year October average of 31,198 units as fleets continued to delay replacement and expansion plans amid soft freight demand, excess capacity, high interest rates, tariff volatility, uneven economic growth, regulatory uncertainty, and compressed margins.  It also noted that both the vocational and on-highway segments saw monthly gains, but the on-highway market accounted for the majority of the annual decline, reflecting sustained fleet caution heading into 2026.

“Early indicators for the 2026 order cycle reinforce this cautious outlook,” said Dan Moyer, senior analyst, commercial vehicles, at FTR. “Combined net orders for September and October are 32% below year-ago levels, highlighting persistent weakness in freight fundamentals and limited carrier profitability. The month-over-month uptick in October likely reflects targeted replacement activity rather than renewed investment. For OEMs and suppliers, visibility remains limited, and order trends are expected to stay uneven until freight volumes and rates improve. In the meantime, fleets are focusing on cost control and asset utilization over growth, delaying a meaningful rebound in equipment demand until economic and market conditions stabilize.”

For the industry, the new tariffs on heavy-duty trucks that are taking effect this month will raise costs but are less severe and more targeted than expected. USMCA carve-outs, offsets, and the delayed parts tariff create a measured policy that encourages reshoring and strengthens North American supply chains. Some production appears to be already shifting toward U.S. assembly, though expanding capacity will take time. Overall, the framework aims to boost U.S. manufacturing and reduce reliance on Asia while leaving room for future policy adjustments.”

ACT data: ACT reported that Preliminary Class 8 orders came in at 24,500 units in October, for a 21% annual decline, which ACT Research Analyst Carter Vieth called a notably weak number when taking into consideration that October is seasonally the strongest month for orders with a 25% seasonal factor.

“This is the time of year when next year’s backlogs get built,” said Vieth. “Rising costs, still weak spot rates, and ongoing uncertainty continue to hamper for-hire carriers, and as a result, have led to a muted order season to date. Additionally, private fleet demand has slowed after recent expansion.”