The Class 8 sleeper sales and production numbers in 2015 were the best ever recorded, according to the latest numbers from ACT Research.
There were 28,150 net new orders of Class 8 trucks in December, an increase over previous months, although the largest sales stats were padded at the start of 2015.
“Carriers anxious to take advantage of more fuel efficient trucks, spurred by strong freight rate growth in the first part of the year, get the nod as the drivers behind the story,” said Steve Tam, ACT vice president, commercial vehicle sector.
That said, capacity and freight demand comparatively slowed in the fall, causing new truck orders to slip until an upsurge in December.
“Faced with excess freight hauling capacity and slowing freight growth, freight rates have softened to the point where many truckers are now taking a wait-and-see approach before committing to more new equipment,” said Tam.
