COLUMBUS, IN — Following typical seasonal trends, North American class 8 orders dropped in June, reported ACT Research this week.

Preliminary June numbers are sitting at 18,900 units. Compared to June 2012, orders are 13 percent stronger, ACT noted.

Medium-duty orders are following the same pattern as their bigger brothers: a soft June, but growth year-over-year. Prelinary numbers for classes 5-7 are showing a decline from May 2013 at 14,900 units, but a 6 percent increase year-over-year.

“Given the softer customer activity, both class 8 and classes 5-7 backlogs are likely to be reduced as OEMs build more vehicles than they received orders for during June,” said Steve Tam, ACT’s vice president, Commercial Vehicle Sector. “Industry watchers can take solace in the fact that this is an almost perennial ritual that takes place as buyers turn their attention to pursuits other than purchasing new equipment.”