For the month of July, Class 5-7 net orders posted a gain, coming in at 15,834 units, according to the latest State of the Industry report, released by ACT Research Co. (ACT), which covers Class 5-8 vehicles for the North American market.

According to Jim Meil, ACT's Principal, Industry Analysis, Class 5-7 year-to-date orders are running about 10.5-percent higher than same time last year.

“While the numbers may not be as stellar as what we see in Class 8, the year is shaping up to be the best thus far of the post-2009 expansion for medium-duty,” he said.

Additionally, for the second month in a row, Class 8 orders surprised on the high side in July, with net orders of 30,103.  

“While one strong month may be statistical noise or an outlier, the July orders fit into a robust pattern that has held up since the start of the year. With year-to-date orders up 33 percent from the comparable 2013 span, 2014 is almost certain to be the best year of this cycle,” Meil said.

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