In The News

Truck orders lowest since '02 downturn

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- December Class 8 total net orders for all major North American OEMs are the weakest since mid-2002 -- a time when many truck buyers purposefully chose to avoid new EPA-mandated engine technology on the market.

Truck market analysts FTR Associates says preliminary data showing 8775 units is the slowest month for heavy equipment purchases in six years.

December 2008 order activity is significantly lower, by 45 percent, than the same month in 2007 and foretells a very soft start to 2009, notes FTR.

The figure includes U.S., Canada, Mexico as well as exports, the latter of which is actually holding some truck and engine makers above water.

FTR Associates' forecast reports cover trucking and rail transportation and include demand analysis for commercial vehicle as well as railcar.