COLUMBUS, IN - Net orders for heavy-duty Class 8 commercial vehicles rose to 11,919 units in December, up 37 percent from December 2008, according to ACT Research Co. (ACT), the leading independent source of analysis in the market for trucks and other commercial vehicles. 

In the latest release of the State of the Industry: Classes 5-8 Vehicles, ACT indicated the last four months of 2009 were the strongest of a very soft year for Class 8 net orders.  For the full year, Class 8 net orders were 33 percent below 2008 levels.  Medium-duty Class 5-7 net orders were down 8 percent from December of last year and down 35 percent for the full year.

"Class 8 net orders exceeded expectations in December as the last of the pre-EPA2010 emissions mandate build slots were filled," said Kenny Vieth, partner and senior analyst with ACT.  "Additionally, orders to countries not subject to the emissions mandate were strong, with Mexico and other export markets posting their highest order volumes since early 2008."