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January 19, 2000 10:18 AM, EST

Sales of Class 8 trucks in December pushed 1999’s retail total to 262,316 units, shattering the record of 1998 by nearly 53,000 vehicles.

But truck manufacturers reveling in the 25% leap from 1998’s 209,483 sales total may feel the buzz dying, as early indications suggest that sales will drop precipitously in 2000.

December saw 23,827 of the big units sold, typical for the year. But in the same month, buyers canceled 36% of their orders and the order backlog fell to 189,000 trucks from 258,000 a year earlier.

Two manufacturers, Volvo Trucks North America and Navistar International Corp, have announced production cuts and worker layoffs, while Freightliner curtailed Saturday overtime ("Truck Makers Set Production Cuts," 1-10, p. 1).

For the full story, see the Jan. 17 print edition of Transport Topics. .