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U.S. Class 8 retail sales rose 16.7% to 26,083 in December to cap the fourth-highest sales year ever as fleets replaced older trucks and expanded amid tight capacity, strong freight demand and high rates.

Class 8 sales in October reached the highest point in more than three years as a smoother supply chain and the bullish economy lifted the total to 25,007, WardsAuto.com reported.

U.S. Class 8 retail sales in September reached 23,648, the second-highest total of the year, WardsAuto.com reported. It was a sign that persistent supply chain woes had loosened enough for truck makers to bring down a backlog of partially built trucks and send them off to fleets and dealers, analysts said.

U.S. retail sales of Class 8 trucks in May topped 19,000 and were the fourth-highest in the past 26 months, WardsAuto.com reported. However, analysts said a severely challenged supply chain has stalled even higher sales and added to truck makers’ production-related expenses.

U.S. Class 8 retail sales in December cleared 22,000 for the highest volume since mid-2015, WardsAuto.com reported, as analysts forecast higher volumes for the year ahead.

U.S. Class 8 retail sales continued climbing in October, reaching nearly 18,000, WardsAuto.com reported, but other analysts noted that the market is softer and more volatile than is typical at this time of year