Class 8 Truck Orders Rose 71.7 Percent Last Year

The trucking equipment market accelerated its recovery in 2011, as motor carriers ordered new tractors and rolling stock to replace aging vehicles.

Net orders for Class 8 heavy trucks soared 71.7 percent in 2011 to 234,236 units, according to ACT Research. Trailer orders climbed 38 percent from 2010. Although that does not mean 234,236 trucks were produced or sold last year, the solid increase in net orders for both trucks and trailers underscores the growing strength of the domestic freight market in the U.S., backed by manufacturing.

“Rising (trailer) backlogs and low levels of cancellation activity speak to the strength of demand at the start of 2012,” said Kenny Vieth, president and senior analyst.

In the heavy truck market, December was the second best month for Class 8 orders in six years, ACT said. Used heavy truck sales also increased last month.

-- Contact William B. Cassidy at wcassidy@joc.com. Follow him on Twitter @wbcassidy_joc.