Class 8 truck orders surge again, though uncertainties about the market rebound persist

Class 8 Truck Orders Surge to Highest Level in Over Three Years

In December, orders for North American Class 8 trucks experienced a dramatic resurgence, reaching their highest point since late 2022. This spike comes as trucking companies rushed to secure new vehicles, taking advantage of reduced regulatory ambiguity, according to recent figures from FTR Transportation Intelligence.

Preliminary data shows that net orders for Class 8 trucks and tractors hit 42,200 units last month. This represents a 108% increase compared to November and a 21% rise over the same period last year.

December’s order volume far surpassed the decade-long average for the month, which stands at about 29,000 units. FTR noted that this was the strongest monthly performance since October 2022, with most of the gains attributed to on-highway vehicles.

However, FTR cautioned that the overall market is still facing challenges. Since the start of the 2026 order cycle in September, total orders remain 22% lower than the previous year, highlighting ongoing weakness in freight demand and cautious investment by fleets.

The surge in December orders was largely driven by increased regulatory clarity. Recent updates regarding tariffs and emissions standards, including the less severe impact of Section 232 tariffs on Class 3-8 trucks and anticipated revisions to the EPA’s 2027 NOx regulations, helped reduce uncertainty for buyers.

These policy updates were finalized late in the year, which explains the significant jump in orders during December rather than the previous month, according to FTR.

Despite this rebound, FTR analysts emphasized that it does not yet indicate a full recovery in demand.

Dan Moyer, FTR’s senior commercial vehicle analyst, commented, “Even with improved policy direction, freight volumes remain subdued, fleet profits are under pressure, and companies are maintaining strict control over capital expenditures as costs increase.”

He added, “The strong December numbers likely reflect a combination of previously delayed orders and the initial phase of a modest pre-buy ahead of the EPA’s 2027 NOx requirements, rather than a broad-based upswing in demand. A lasting recovery will depend on a meaningful improvement in both the economy and the freight sector.”