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Class 8 orders rolled on in July, climbing 81% year-over-year in what is typically the slowest order month of the year, analysts said.

North American Class 8 production reached a 19-month high in June after stronger orders earlier this year, according to ACT Research Co.

While the grand total of U.S. Class 8s in operation is growing ever so slightly, there are major shifts within the newest segment of that population, including more straight trucks at the expense of highway tractors, according to a recent report on vehicle registrations.

Preliminary Class 8 net orders for March were 22,800 units, slightly above expectations and much higher than a year ago for the third consecutive month, research company FTR reported.

U.S. retail sales of Class 8 trucks in February fell 29.5% from a year earlier, as all truck makers posted double-digit declines, WardsAuto.com reported.

North American Class 8 orders in February reached a 14-month high as they cleared 23,000, and exceeded expectations, analysts said.

U.S. retail sales of Class 8 trucks in January — typically a skimpy point in any year — barely squeaked past 10,000 units and were the lowest in nearly six years as they fell 31.4% year-over-year, WardsAuto.com reported.

Class 8 orders cleared 21,000 in December, ending the year on a solid but lukewarm note, analysts said.