Class 8s Continue Mighty Showing

December 23, 1999 10:05 AM, EST

Sales of Class 8 trucks through November remained strong despite reports of falling orders in October that led one manufacturer to lay off workers recently. The 11-month total for 1999 hit 238,489, crushing the record of 209,483 set in 1998 and keeping pace to reach 260,000 for the year.

The year-to-date figure was 26.2% above the 188,915 sales posted in the same period in 1998.

November sales of Class 8 trucks totaled 22,028, which was 21.6% higher than the 18,117 sold in November 1998, according to Ward’s Communications, a Southfield, Mich., analysis firm.

In addition to the recent layoffs, falling orders prompted at least one investment firm to downgrade the stocks of two other manufacturers, but industry leaders don’t seem worried.

For the full story, see the Dec. 20 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.