North American Class 8 orders are off to a stronger-than-expected start in 2021. ACT Research reported 42,200 in January — a 146% improvement from a year earlier. The January figure is a 17% dip from December, but still reflects competition for truck makers’ remaining build slots, according to ACT Vice President Steve Tam. His organization is expecting a 40% increase in production in 2021 compared with 2020. Tam told Transport Topics, “We as an industry need to recalibrate our expectations. Maybe we need to look higher.”

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices