0-11 setting up for truck growth

COLUMBUS, Ind. — Significant growth to the truck manufacturing industry is coming: It’s just over a year away.

While 2010 should bring modest growth in production levels, ACT Research expects 2011 to be the year both the medium and heavy-duty sectors experience rebounds.

In the latest version of the ACT North American Commercial Vehicle Outlook, the firm says Class 8 production will still be below vehicle replacement levels in 2010, with growth of 22 percent. For 2011, however, Class 8 production should gain 69 percent over 2010.

Medium-duty truck production is forecast to see year-over-year growth of about 30 percent in both 2010 and 2011, ACT says.

"There are still a number of hurdles to clear in the coming quarters, including continued excess trucking sector capacity, a soft used truck market, tight credit, and weak freight rates," said Kenny Vieth, partner and senior analyst with ACT Research. "However, the fleet is aging and truckers are increasingly making comments about the condition of their fleets. When the freight market regains solid footing, the recovery in commercial vehicle demand promises to be vertical."