Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/647193
26 // OWNER OPERATOR // FEBRUARY 2016 Broker Basics TRUCK ORDERS DIP TO 'VERY CONCERNING' LEVEL IN NOVEMBER N orth American Class 8 truck orders fell a whopping 60 percent in November 2015 from the same month in 2014, according to preliminary fi gures released by FTR. Net orders totalled 16,475 in the month, the lowest point since September 2012. FTR says the numbers were "signifi cantly below expectations." FTR says orders should be better in future months, though "not necessarily good," the fi rm said. "The November orders are very concerning," said FTR's Don Ake. "People were optimistic when orders held up well during the summer. Now we get into the peak order season and have the lowest orders of the year. The weak orders are the reason for the recent OEM announcements regarding production cutbacks and layoffs. Truck inventories are high and retail sales have stalled. The industry would appear to have enough new trucks for now. The manufacturing sector has sputtered and freight growth has slowed. Orders should stabilize soon, but backlogs will be shrinking, necessitating larger production cuts than were previously expected." OO orth American Class 8 truck orders fell a whopping 60 percent in November 2015 from the same month in 2014, according to preliminary Net orders totalled 16,475 in the month, the lowest point since September 2012. FTR says the numbers were