Class 8 Semi-Truck Strong Sales Projected to Continue

Class 8 semi-truck orders soared across North America in January 2018.

On Monday, February 5, Freight Transportation Research (FTR) reported preliminary figures for the month. There were an estimated 47,200 orders across the continent, up 28 percent over the previous month. January's figures also represent a 116 percent increase over the 21,863 units ordered during January 2017.

FTR says that the figures outpaced their own projections. Jonathan Starks, FTR's COO, asserts that "These levels were well above our already strong expectations and continue to indicate that the equipment markets are still reacting to the tight capacity in the truck marketplace."

Best Class 8 Sales in 12 Years

These figures were stronger than at any time since early 2006. Orders even surpassed the high levels recorded during the 4th quarter of 2014.

The soaring January figures come on the heels of a strong 2017 overall. FTR reports orders for 290,000 units in 2017, dramatically higher than the 164,000 orders received in 2016. FTR reports that Class 8 truck orders have exceeded the 30,000-unit per month threshold for four straight months now.

Strong Sales Projected to Continue

According to Reuters, FTR analysts believe that tight road freight capacities should maintain this trend through the Spring. Sparks says, "Near-record levels can't last for long, but orders could stay quite elevated throughout the spring."

Overall, these significantly elevated sales levels should bode well for North America's largest Class 8 truck manufacturers, including Daimler AG, Navistar International, Volvo AB and Paccar.

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Carolina International maintains an excellent inventory of new and pre-owned semi-trucks and trailers, medium-duty trucks, heavy-duty trucks and related equipment and accessories. Since our founding in 1992, we have grown to become South Carolina's largest truck dealer with six locations strategically placed across the state. We maintain more than 100 service bays and a multi-million dollar inventory to get our valued clients back on the road fast.

We look forward to learning more about your business. Please contact us today for prompt, professional and friendly assistance!