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Order season for North American original equipment manufacturers typically kicks off in September, but this past fall and winter saw a lag in commitments.

North American Class 8 truck orders jumped year over year in February, with ACT Research preliminary data showing orders rose 156% to 46,200 units.

Sentiment among senior executives in the LTL space is positive in outlook, and underlying manufacturing data is supportive even as conditions remain challenging.

ACT Research preliminary net data for January showed orders rose 9% year over year to 23,000 units while also marking a sequential decline of 8% compared with December.

The typical year‑end push inflates December totals, making a sharp January drop unsurprising, though ACT Research noted this year’s decline was larger than seasonal norms.

ACT Research preliminary data showed orders increased 20% year over year to 30,800 units. But the data also showed orders fell 27.8% sequentially from 42,684 units.

The last ATA Driver Compensation Study found truckload drivers earned median annual pay of $76,420 in 2023, a 10% increase compared with the level reported in 2021’s study.

The freight market outlook is underwhelming, with marginal rate increases unlikely to cover the ongoing rise in carriers’ costs, according to FTR Transportation Intelligence analysts.

President Trump's approach to renegotiating trade deals has injected unease into international supply chains as well as a domestic trucking industry already 2½ years into a downturn.

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.