Preliminary North American Class 8 Net Orders for November Totaled 20,200 Units
FTR reports preliminary net orders for North American (N.A.) Class 8 trucks/tractors fell more than seasonally expected in November, dropping 17% month-over-month (m/m) and 44% year-over-year (y/y) to 20,200 units – well below the 10-year November average of 28,910. Orders have totaled 214,797 units over the last 12 months.
The pullback persisted despite modest improvements in tariff and regulatory clarity. Fleets continued to defer replacement and expansion plans amid weak freight demand, persistent excess capacity, elevated financing and equipment costs, tariff volatility, uneven economic conditions, evolving emissions requirements, and sustained margin pressure. Both vocational and on-highway segments posted m/m and y/y declines. Vocational outperformed on-highway on a y/y basis, reflecting continued, but cautious, demand heading into 2026.
Concerns are rising for the 2026 order cycle. Cumulative net orders from September through November were down a striking 36% y/y. However, the market has more clarity now than it did a couple of months ago regarding tariffs on heavy-duty trucks and likely changes in the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2027 NOx rule. Overall, the tariff structure raises costs but in a measured, targeted manner, supporting reshoring while avoiding significant short-term disruption to Class 8 sourcing and production. The expected elimination of the extended warranty requirements in the NOx rule likely will reduce costs substantially – perhaps by around half of the expected increase previously, according to some estimates.
