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ACT: Commercial vehicle market recovering, headwinds remain

COLUMBUS, IN – While the medium and heavy duty commercial vehicle markets are beginning a slow recovery off the lowest level of production since 1991, significant headwinds remain for the sector to return to normal replacement level demand, according to truck market analyst ACT Research Co. (ACT).

In the latest release of the North American Commercial Vehicle Outlook, ACT predicts quarterly production rates for Class 8 vehicles will grow over 20 percent on a year-overyear (y/y) basis in each quarter of 2010, but will not reach replacement level rates until early 2011. Medium-duty truck (Classes 5-7) production, which is largely tied to health of the construction industry, is expected to see y/y growth ramp up beginning in the second quarter of 2010.

“While the economy emerged from recession in the third quarter, we expect a slow recovery rather than a break-out,” said Kenny Vieth, partner and senior analyst with ACT Research. “With a slow recovery in demand, excess capacity in for-hire trucking sectors is not expected to be eliminated until the second half of 2010, putting continued pressure on transportation prices and profits. When profitability does return to trucking, there will be significant pent up demand to replace older than normal fleets.”

ACT publishes commercial vehicle (CV) industry data, market analysis and forecasting services for the North American market. ACT’s CV services are used by all major North American truck and trailer manufacturers and their suppliers, as well as the banking and investment community.

Kevin Jones of The Trucker staff can be reached for comment at [email protected] .

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