Preliminary August Class 8 truck net orders see annual declines

Summary

Preliminary data from FTR and ACT show continued weakness in Class 8 truck orders for August. FTR estimates 13,000 net orders in August — a 4% increase month-on-month but a 14% decline year-on-year, marking the eighth consecutive month of annual declines and well below the 10-year average of 23,135 units. FTR reports 251,997 orders over the past 12 months and says the 2025 order cycle (Sept 2024–Aug 2025) is down 15% year-on-year, creating headwinds for OEM production planning and supplier networks.

ACT reported 13,200 preliminary orders for August, a 19% annual decline, attributing the fall to a weak for-hire market, equipment-cost uncertainty and soft broad freight demand. Both firms point to tariffs, regulatory uncertainty (including 2027 EPA NOx standards), trade friction and dampened freight fundamentals as key factors behind muted fleet ordering and extended truck lifespans.

Key Points

FTR: August net orders at 13,000 — +4% vs July, −14% year-on-year; eighth straight month of annual declines.
FTR: 12-month total at 251,997 units; 2025 order cycle down 15% year-on-year, pressuring OEMs and suppliers.
ACT: August preliminary orders at 13,200, down 19% year-on-year; cites soft for-hire market and equipment-cost uncertainty.
Primary drivers include recent tariff increases (from 7 August), trade frictions, regulatory uncertainty (notably 2027 NOx standards) and weak freight demand.
Fleets are extending vehicle lifespans, turning to used equipment and delaying new orders — limiting near-term capacity additions and slowing freight-rate recovery.

Context and Relevance

For fleet managers, OEM planners, suppliers and freight-rate analysts, these trends matter. Persistent order declines imply slower capacity growth and higher maintenance/used-equipment reliance, which can affect spot and contract rates, parts demand and production scheduling. Tariff and regulatory uncertainty add downside risk to 2026 order activity; without a freight-demand rebound, expect muted ordering as 2026 boards open.

Why should I read this?

Short and straight: if you buy, sell, build or plan around Class 8 trucks, this is a useful heads-up. Demand is soft, tariffs and regs are making buyers nervous, and that alters capacity, costs and planning. Worth a quick skim so you don’t get caught off-guard.