Class 8 Sales

Truck dealers are growing more optimistic about the prospects for Class 8 truck and tractor sales in 2026 and 2027, citing an improving economy.

U.S. Class 8 retail sales continue to face buyer reticence even as improving market conditions spurred growing optimism in May.

U.S. Class 8 retail sales fell below the prior-year level as buyers continued to wait for a more sustained freight market recovery in April.

North American Class 8 truck sales and production levels are set to accelerate significantly in the second quarter of 2026, according to Paccar executives.

Volvo Trucks North America and Mack Trucks sales in the first quarter of 2026 fell a combined 34% year over year, parent company Volvo Group said April 24.

U.S. Class 8 retail sales in March fell 20% from 2025, marking the ninth consecutive year-over-year decrease, according to Omdia Automotive data.

“Although the U.S. market has recently shown encouraging signs of an upturn in customer demand, this has not yet had an impact on unit sales,” Traton said.

North American Class 8 truck purchases this year and next will rise compared with 2025 but are unlikely to meet the promise of February's orders, VTNA says.

Omdia Automotive data showed February sales fell 17.4% to 12,992 units from 15,725 a year earlier. But sales rose 5.7% from January’s 12,287 units.

Paccar is aiming for a 35% share of the North American heavy-duty truck market, set to be aided by tariffs and production plant flexibility, senior executives told analysts Feb. 10.