Class 8 Truck Orders Stay High as 2027 Emissions Rules Loom

North American Class 8 truck orders reached 18,200 units in August, according to preliminary data from FTR Transportation Intelligence. This figure is 42% higher than orders in August 2025, though it represents a 19% sequential decline from July.

FTR attributed the month-over-month drop to normal summer seasonality and the conclusion of the 2026 model-year ordering cycle. The firm stated the decline also marks the tail end of a pre-buy surge ahead of the Environmental Protection Agency's stringent 2027 nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions requirements. Through the first eight months of 2026, Class 8 orders were 111% higher than the same period in 2025.

The End of the Pre-Buy Cycle

Dan Moyer, FTR's senior analyst for commercial vehicles, said, "August marks the close of the 2026 order season and the effective end of the EPA 2027 NOx pre-buy." FTR believes most, if not all, surcharge-free production slots for 2026 engines are now filled. Some manufacturers had sold out their remaining 2026 build slots by mid-August, while their 2027 order books had not yet opened. September will provide a clearer test of underlying demand as orders for 2027 equipment begin.

The Coming Price Increase for Fleets

The transition to 2027-compliant engines will bring significant cost increases. FTR estimates that noncompliance penalties, which would allow the sale of engines exceeding the new NOx limit, could add $6,000 to $7,000 per engine. Fully EPA 2027-compliant engines could carry a manufacturer upcharge of $8,000 to $12,000. These costs are expected to be passed directly to fleet customers.

Manufacturers are adopting different strategies for the transition. According to Moyer, some plan to offer both fully compliant engines and current-generation engines supported by noncompliance penalties. At least one major manufacturer intends to offer only the fully compliant option. Fleet purchasing decisions will increasingly hinge on these engine choices, pricing, and build timing.

A Cooling Used Truck Market

While new truck demand remains hot, the used market showed signs of moderation in July. ACT Research reported that same-dealer used Class 8 retail sales declined 2.5% from June, a larger drop than typical seasonal trends would predict. Despite the monthly dip, sales were 45% higher than in July 2025.

Used truck prices also softened. The average retail selling price fell 4% from June to $60,986. ACT's data shows year-to-date sales are up 10% from the comparable 2025 period, with average prices up 3%. Average mileage and age of sold units were both lower year-over-year.

Steve Tam, vice president at ACT Research, stated the July slowdown was directionally consistent with seasonal expectations but greater in magnitude. He noted auction and wholesale channels also weakened, reducing total market volumes, though year-to-date figures demonstrate resilience amid regulatory uncertainty.

The full 2026 order season, spanning September 2025 through August 2026, saw North American Class 8 orders total 350,677 units, a 39% increase from the previous order season. ACT Research's own preliminary estimate for August also pointed to continued year-over-year strength for new Class 8 orders.