Class 8 truck orders plunge 36% as EPA uncertainty rattles fleets

North American Class 8 truck orders tumbled 36% year over year in October, signaling a surprisingly weak start to the 2027 order season. Trucking fleets are grappling with regulatory uncertainty , rising equipment costs and pressure on operating margins, according to data released Wednesday by FTR Transportation Intelligence. Dan Moyer, FTR’s senior analyst for commercial vehicles, said fleets may be shifting their capital spending priorities toward trailers instead of tractors in the near term. He also noted that higher operating expenses continue to challenge carriers despite improvements in freight pricing. “Also, while freight rates are strong, so are costs for fuel, insurance, and labor, pressuring margins and possibly limiting purchases for now,” Moyer said.