Monthly commentary on North American Class 8 net orders from ACT Research and FTR Associates, plus our read on what the backlog means for used-truck resale values.
Preliminary and final Class 8 order data from ACT Research and FTR Associates is published on a monthly cadence, with ACT running about a week ahead. Net orders (gross orders minus cancellations) are the headline metric; the backlog-to-build ratio is the most predictive sub-metric for resale values of used Class 8 units.
The backlog-to-build (B:B) ratio — current order backlog divided by monthly OEM build rate — is the single cleanest predictor of used Class 8 truck residual values over a 12-month window. When B:B exceeds 9 months, OEMs are effectively sold out; new-truck lead times stretch to 9–12 months and used-truck residuals hold firm, which supports dealer margins on late-model trade-ins. When B:B falls below 3 months, OEMs have open build slots, new-truck pricing softens, and used-truck depreciation accelerates. ACT Research and FTR Associates publish net-order and B:B data on a monthly cadence; fleets use it to time capital orders, and dealers use it to price used Class 8 inventory against forward residual expectations.
Primary source
ACT Research →
Preliminary and final monthly net-order reports.
Primary source
FTR Associates →
Class 8 order outlook and freight-market index.
The two primary sources are ACT Research and FTR Associates. Both survey North American OEMs (Freightliner, Kenworth, Peterbilt, International, Mack, Volvo, Western Star) and publish monthly preliminary and final net order figures. TruckRadar links to their public summaries each month.
OEM build slots are typically booked 4–9 months ahead. A rising Class 8 net-orders curve implies fleets expect stronger freight demand and are adding capacity; a falling curve implies balance-sheet caution and a tightening capacity environment 6–12 months out.
Live data requires a licensing agreement with ACT or FTR. Until that's in place, this page hosts monthly editorial notes and links to the primary publications.
Backlog-to-build (B:B) is the ratio of current order backlog in months of OEM production capacity. A B:B above 9 indicates OEMs are sold out and used-truck residuals stay firm; a B:B below 3 signals open build slots and accelerating used-truck depreciation. Dealers pricing used Class 8 units watch B:B as the cleanest predictor of 12-month residuals.
Lead times swing with the cycle. In a sold-out environment (B:B > 9), new-truck buyers face 9–12 months from order to delivery. In a soft market (B:B < 3), OEMs can take an order and build it in 6–10 weeks. Fleets balance the lead-time risk against expected spot-rate conditions at the delivery window.