COLUMBUS, Ind. – While demand for commercial vehicles continues to be solid across all segments of the commercial vehicle market, the industry’s ability to build continues to constrain demand, says ACT Research Co.

The July issue of the North American Commercial Vehicle Outlook shows that Class 8 backlogs rose for the ninth consecutive month, as the industry order boards reflect pent-up replacement demand and the fleets’ financial ability to fulfill that demand.

Also, therecent slowing of freight movements must continue to be monitored, says ACT.

"Our expectations in the near-term are somewhat tempered by the softness in the second quarter of the year," stated Sam Kahan, ACT’s chief economist. "While the economy continues at a rather slow pace, Class 8 truck demand continues to be strong, driven by longer-term demand factors rather than the short-term gyrations of the economy.

"Ability to build still appears to be the overarching factor impacting 2011 Class 8 volumes."