A global shortage of semiconductor chips has hampered production of heavy-duty trucks, The Wall Street Journal reported Friday.
North American production of Class 8 vehicles — the large trucks used to transport goods — fell to its lowest level since May 2020 in July, with 14,920 units manufactured, according to the most recent data from research firm ACT Research, cited by The Journal.
ACT Research said that the backlog of orders for trucks almost tripled to 262,100, compared to July 2020 levels.
"Everything you want to see for Class 8 demand is there in spades," ACT President Kenny Vieth told the Journal. "What's missing are parts."