Industry analysts continue to point to mid-2010 as the point at which dramatic improvements needed to boost truck sales will take place. According to ACT Research Co. (ACT), the trucking industry will strengthen in the second half of the year, in turn boosting demand for commercial vehicles later in 2010 and into 2011. With used truck values increasing and finance firms less likely to extend credit to keep struggling carriers alive, the stage will be set for the spike in freight, caused by higher carrier bankruptcies, to create dramatic improvements in the demand for commercial vehicles.

According to ACT Research Co. (ACT), current economic and transportation sector trends continue to point to strengthening in trucking in the second half of 2010. And that will in turn create stronger demand for commercial vehicles late in the year and into 2011.

ACT still projects heavy-duty (Class vehicle production should grow 18% year-over-year in the first half of 2010, largely due to stronger orders late in 2009 in advance of the latest EPA engine emissions mandate. But with fundamentals expected to improve in the truckload market by mid-year, demand is expected to increase into the end of 2010.

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