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U.S. Class 8 retail truck sales capped off what has been a generally down year with a sequential boost in December, according to data from Omdia Automotive.

Classes 4-7 retail truck sales for the month decreased 15.5% to 19,082 units from 22,586 a year earlier. Medium-duty sales haven’t trended ahead of the prior year since January 2025.

Class 8 truck orders soared sequentially in December, a shift that experts attributed more to buyer trepidation over new emissions technologies than enthusiasm with business conditions.

U.S. trailer orders fell 37% below prior-year results in November, with freight market pressures continuing to weigh on activity, ACT Research reported. 

North American Class 8 truck orders fell from the prior year and sequentially in November despite the month usually being the third strongest of the year.

Sales increased 3.8% to 24,700 units from 23,800 in the 2024 period and 9.3% from 22,600 in September, according to ACT Research data.

Preliminary net orders in October increased 3% year over year to 17,100 units. September had marked the first time orders trended below the prior-year results since April.

U.S. medium-duty truck sales dropped sequentially and compared with the prior year in October amid ongoing tariff headwinds and market uncertainty, according to data from Omdia Automotive.

Monthly orders data has trended below prior-year results since the start of the year. President Trump’s focus on tariffs has created uncertainty for both OEMs and truck buyers.

ACT noted continuing concerns over moderating economic activity, weak for-hire carrier profitability and ambiguous government policy remain as challenges to trailer demand.