COLUMBUS, Ind. — The heavy-duty commercial vehicle market continues its strong recovery while medium-duty demand increases at a slower pace, according to the latest report from ACT Research.

In the latest North American Commercial Vehicle Outlook report, ACT reports that Class 8 production will be up 25% over 2009 by year-end. Medium-duty production, however, will gain only 12% year-over-year thanks to continuing struggles in the housing and construction sectors.

“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.”