ACT Research said it anticipates stronger demand for commercial vehicles later this year and into 2011, as the economy improves and capacity tightens in the truckload sector.


According to the latest release of its North American Commercial Vehicle Outlook, ACT said it expects heavy-duty vehicle production to gain 19 percent year-over-year in the second half of 2010. In 2011, production will see 77 percent growth, ACT said.

Meanwhile, medium-duty vehicle production, which is largely tied to the health of housing and construction, is poised for a more steady and gradual increase, growing 20 percent in 2010 and 30 percent in 2011.

"The sequence of events required to put commercial vehicle production on more solid footing continues to advance as expected," said John Burton, vice president of the transportation sector with ACT Research. "Our trucking surveys are showing improving trends in volumes and pricing and our used truck analysis has shown modestly firming values for several months. All indications point to capacity tightening in the truckload sector by mid-year, which will drive improved profitability and lead to replacing an aging fleet."