Medium-Duty Forecast Takes a Further Haircut

The forecast for heavy-duty trucks and trailers remained steady, but the medium-duty outlook continues to slide, according to the ACT Research Co. In its latest release of the ACT N.A. Commercial Vehicle Outlook, ACT predicts that Classes 5-7 medium-duty production will be off 44 percent in 2009 before regaining half of that decline in 2010.

“Coupled with continued weak demand, the General Motors announcement to exit the market sent shock waves through the system,” said Steve Tam, vice president, commercial vehicle sector with ACT Research. “Production will continue to be weaker into 2010 as GM inventories are worked off.”

ACT is the recognized leading publisher of commercial vehicle (CV) industry data, market analysis and forecasting services for the North American market. ACT’s CV services are used by all major North American truck and trailer manufacturers and their suppliers, as well as the banking and investment community. For more information on ACT, visit www.actresearch.net.