NASHVILLE, Ind. -- Trucking industry forecaster FTR Associates is increasingly optimistic about truck and trailer sales in 2011 based on stronger than expected freight volumes at the end of 2009.
In the January edition of its North American Commercial Truck and Trailer Outlook Report, FTR reports that 2010 tractor sales will remain affected by the costly new EPA emissions requirements but that demand will pick up in 2011.
“Higher freight demand will cause the existing large overhang of surplus equipment to be worked down more quickly, translating into the potential for more units to be sold in 2011,” said Eric Starks, president of FTR. “While freight demand will increase throughout 2010, actual build numbers for Class 8 vehicles will likely be higher in the first part of the year because of the late pre-buy activity for vehicles with pre-2010 emission engines. Our 2010 production forecast remains unchanged but this demand for 2009 vehicles will pull ahead build to the first half of 2010 at a corresponding decline in second half numbers.”
The full report is available to subscribers at www.ftrassociates.net.