The industry can expect continued improvement in demand for heavy-duty vehicles in the second half of this year and into 2011
, according to ACT Research Co., which provides analysis in truck and commercial vehicle markets.

In the latest release of the North American Commercial Vehicle Outlook, ACT projects full-year production of heavy-duty vehicles to be up 26 percent from 2009. Growth in medium-duty production is expected to be at 12 percent year over year, as the housing and construction sectors continue to struggle.

"Key building blocks to support improved demand for heavy-duty commercial vehicles are coming into alignment," said Kenny Vieth, senior analyst and partner with ACT Research. "On the transportation side, all major freight indicators are solidly positive, which has allowed truckload hauling capacity to tighten rapidly. This in turn is allowing freight rates to rise and sets the stage for materially stronger trucker profits. And with used truck values steadily rising, trucking companies are now in a good position to replace an aged fleet."

ACT publishes new and used commercial vehicle industry data, market analysis and forecasting services for the North American market, as well as the China commercial vehicle market.