Preliminary data showing December Class 8 truck total net orders is at the second highest level in three years totaling 29,777 units, reported FTR Associates today.

Month-over-month, December orders were up 46 percent, with a year-over-year increase from December 2011 of 11 percent, reversing November’s disappointing drop in orders.

“The rebound in orders to finish 2011 reaffirms our confidence that new truck demand will not wane in 2012," said Jonathan Starks, FTR’s director of transportation analysis.

"In fact," he continued, "the six month annualized order rate of 280,000 units confirms our outlook for this year: modest growth over 2011, but relatively flat production versus the last six months.

"The final ruling for trucking’s hours-of-service regulations negates any possible positive impact for truck demand in 2012. We expect to see orders ease late in the first quarter as trucking operations prepare for the start of the freight season.”

The final tally of Class 8 truck orders for the last three months of 2011 came in at 312,000 units.