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Final numbers for November show a decline in orders for heavy commercial vehicles in North America. According to the latest report from ACT Research on the state of the industry in Classes 5 to 8, net orders for Class 8 in November totaled 19,547 units. This represents a decrease of 48% compared to the previous year.
Carter Vieth, Research Analyst at ACT Research, explains the situation: „While clarity regarding the EPA regulations for 2027 is positive, the lack of profitability among rental transportation companies remains the main barrier to improved demand for new vehicles.“ He adds that demand remains weak as cyclical freight sectors lag behind. Orders for Class 8 tractors amounted to 12,879 units, reflecting a decline of 55% compared to the previous year.
Development in the Specialized Vehicle Sector
Orders for specialized Class 8 vehicles stood at 6,668 units, a decrease of 22% compared to the previous year. Vieth points out that the market for specialized vehicles, similar to the tractor market, is affected by political fluctuations in the short to medium term. However, unlike the tractor market, positive impulses could arise from the expansion of AI infrastructure and the associated need for a corresponding supply build-up, along with regulatory clarity regarding the EPA regulations for 2027, which could be beneficial for specialized trucks in the short term.
In the medium-duty vehicle sector, Vieth reports that orders in Classes 5 to 7 have fallen by 3.1% compared to the previous year, totaling 16,262 units. As this market is heavily service-oriented, demand for medium-duty vehicles has declined this year due to tariffs and slowing growth in the service sector. Consumer sentiment is now at a level typically associated with recessions.
The report „State of the Industry: NA Classes 5-8“ from ACT Research provides a monthly overview of current production, sales, and the overall condition of the heavy and medium-duty commercial vehicle markets in North America. More information is available on the ACT Research website.
