ACT Research reports falling inventories, build rates

Avatar photo

COLUMBUS, Ind. — Inventories of medium-duty trucks are falling but so are build rates, leaving inventory-to-sales ratios at more than double normal levels, according to the latest figures from ACT Research.

 

Class 5-7 retail sales were off 54% from May of 2008 and Class 8 retail sales were down 52% compared to last May, according to ACT. The inventory-to-sales ratio in the medium-duty market is at seven month but in the Class 8 market it’s only 3.4 months.

 

“Although the low inventory is a positive,” said Steve Tam, ACT vice-president, commercial vehicle sector, “at current depressed sales levels, the Classes 5-7 market will have to improve significantly to justify ramping up production.”

 

Class 8 orders remain soft in all three North American markets, but especially Mexico, ACT reports. Including Mexico and other export markets, Class 8 sales were down 89% compared to last May.

 

The latest findings are part of ACT’s Classes 5-8 Vehicles report. For more info, visit www.actresearch.net.

Avatar photo

Truck News is Canada's leading trucking newspaper - news and information for trucking companies, owner/operators, truck drivers and logistics professionals working in the Canadian trucking industry.


Have your say


This is a moderated forum. Comments will no longer be published unless they are accompanied by a first and last name and a verifiable email address. (Today's Trucking will not publish or share the email address.) Profane language and content deemed to be libelous, racist, or threatening in nature will not be published under any circumstances.

*