New Class 8 truck deliveries fall for 4 consecutive months

The strength in new Class 8 orders belies a four-month slide in deliveries while used truck prices continue to fall, albeit more slowly as 2023 comes to a close.

Through the first 11 months of the year, the industry has delivered 242,881 new Class 8 trucks, 7.8% more than the same period in 2022, according to Ward’s Intelligence. But the year-over-year lead has shrunk each month since February when sales were 35% ahead compared with 2022.

This contrasts with ACT Research, which reported net orders for North America — not just the U.S. — at 41,732 units in November. The robust bookings led to a longer wait time for deliveries, currently about six months.

Vocational truck orders are rising, especially trucks equipped with dump, concrete, refuse and other bodies that depend on construction activity.

Only Navistar International saw higher sales in November

In November, according to Ward’s, all major manufacturers except Navistar International reported lower deliveries. The Traton Group brand reported 2,952 units sold, up 4.2% month over month from October but 2.1% below November 2022.

Market leader Freightliner reported 5,796 trucks sold, down 31.4% from November 2022. For the first 11 months, Freightliner sales were up 3.6%. Daimler Truck North America sibling Western Star sold 713 units, up 29.2% from a year ago and a proof point of the strength in vocational equipment.

Source: freightwaves.com