Production, sales of big rig tractors rise in July

North American class 8 production rose in July, and it was boosted by the continued strength in orders, according to ACT Research.

U.S. sales of class 8 trucks, which are the tractors of a tractor-trailer, rose 13.1% to 15,317 in July, from 14,085 in July 2016, according to Wards Auto. So far this year, sales are down 15.7%, from the same period in 2016.

“After cutting 3,000 units from the class 8 build plan last month, the OEMs added back nearly 6,000 units in July,” said Steve Tam, vice president ofACT Research. “This brings the OEMs’ full-year expectations to over 252,000 units.”

Net trailer orders rose 43% to 14,450 units in July, from the same month in 2016. Order fell 30%, from a strong June.

“We saw continued strong year-over-year net order performance last month,” said Frank Maly, director of commercial vehicle transportation analysis and research for ACT. “As has been the pattern, solid dry van commitments help lead the total industry, with significant year-over-year gains in flatbed trailers occurring as well. July is historically the weakest order month of the year, as fleets pause to reassess their equipment needs for the remainder of the year. The 30% decline from June is directionally correct, but a bit more than we might have expected. However, when seasonally adjusted, July volume was more than 20,500 units, which approaches a 250,000-annual rate, both very strong results.”