US heavy-duty truck demand to sink 12% in '09

ERJ staff report (TB)

NASHVILLE, Ind. (July 23, 2009) - U.S. production of heavy-duty trucks will fall 12 percent this year and not show improvement until 2011, according to transportation sector forecaster FTR Associates Inc.

“It will take a substantial improvement in freight demand to soak up the current significant fleet equipment surplus,” said FTR President Eric Starks. “At the moment, demand for truck freight transport is still declining and is projected to bottom out in the fourth quarter. In our view improvement sufficient to drive new equipment purchases will not occur until 2011.”

Nashville-based FTR Associates has been forecasting transporation industry trends for more than 20 years.

From Tire Business (A Crain publication)