Class 6 GVW trucks now operating in commercial fleets now have an average 21.2-year lifespan due to their reliability, durability, and use in a variety of applications, IHS Automotive's commercial vehicle director told WorkTruckOnline.com.

Class 6 vehicles now have the longest lifespan of any commercial trucks in the U.S., where fleets are keeping their medium-duty trucks longer. The average age of commercial vehicles among Class 4-8 vehicles has reached 14.8 years, an increase from the 12.5 years in 2007, an 18.4% increase, according to Gary Meteer, director of commercial vehicle solutions.

At the other end of the spectrum, Class 5 trucks are now the youngest truck class with an average age of 11.8 years as a result of this segment of trucks having historically low demand, Meteer said.

The truck market is at its highest levels since the 2008-'09 economic downturn with more than 7.9 million commercial vehicles on the road in the U.S. through June, including 3.5 million Class 8 vehicles, 1.5 million Class 7 trucks, and 1.4 million Class 6 trucks.

Typical Class 6 trucks in operation are set up as a standard straight truck with a 20-foot box. These trucks are mainstream trucks for rental and daily lease trucks to move goods by businesses and individuals. Trucks configured this way often provide "many uses" once they leave the fleets of companies such as Ryder, Penske, and Enterprise such as construction storage units on site or for electrical supply and local retail.