North American Class 8 Orders Drop to Lowest June Since 2009

Source: FTR

July 3, 2025 — Preliminary data from FTR Transportation Intelligence reveals a sharp decline in North American Class 8 truck orders, which fell to 8,900 units in June — down 25% month-over-month and 36% year-over-year. This is the lowest June figure since 2009 and significantly below the 10-year average of 19,213 units.

Despite June usually seeing moderate gains, ongoing tariff uncertainty, rising production costs, and a shaky freight market have pushed many fleets to hit pause on new purchases.

So far in the 2025 order cycle (September 2024–June 2025), orders are down 15%, with a 12-month total of 255,265 units.

“With tariffs in flux and new EPA regulations looming, fleets are pausing new equipment purchases,” noted FTR’s Dan M.

Highlights:

• Most of the decline was from the on-highway segment.

• The June 4 steel/aluminum tariff hike (25% → 50%) added strain to production costs.

• Record-high inventories are limiting future demand.

• A new U.S.-Vietnam trade deal was signed, but tariffs on Chinese and Mexican imports remain high pending negotiations.