NASHVILLE, Ind. — Heavy-duty commercial vehicle orders are stabilizing, according to the latest North American Commercial Truck and Trailer Outlook from industry forecaster FTR Associates.

As a result, the company is holding to its earlier forecast of a 47% decline in Class 8 truck production this year. In its latest report, FTR Associates suggests a slow recovery will begin in 2010, however it expects 2010 production to remain about 30% below 2008 levels.

“While the near-term picture is becoming clearer every day, there is an unusual amount of uncertainty with regard to 2011 and beyond,” said Eric Starks, president of FTR. “We are in an unprecedented economic situation where past performance does not necessarily provide relevant guideposts. The range of possible outcomes is still very wide, with either a continued slow recovery or a faster snap-back both quite possible. We are therefore urging our subscribers to remain flexible with regard to their 2011 planning at this time.”

The North American Commercial Truck and Trailer Outlook report features analysis of the commercial vehicle industry, including forecasts for Class 8 and medium-duty trucks, as well as semi-trailers. For more, see www.ftrassociates.net.