ACT reaffirms vehicle order forecast after strong start to year

Orders for commercial vehicles have continued to strengthen in the first two months of 2011, leading ACT Research to reaffirm its vehicle order forecast for 2011 and 2012.

“The initial wave of data for February reinforces our assessment of the January figures and enhances our belief that a self-sustaining recovery is underway in the U.S.A.,” said Sam Kahan, chief economist. “We expect 2011 real GDP growth to average 3.5% on a year-over-year basis; this is toward the upper end of the forecasters’ range.”

Preliminary numbers for Class 8 orders in February, released last week, showed positive growth over with 24,300 units ordered. That was down 3,000 units from January, but ACT pointed out that the four-month net order volume translates to an annualized rate of 272,200 units.

In early January, ACT reported the full-year 2010 production of Class 8 vehicles rose 30% 154,290 units over “a very weak” 2009.

Ward’s Auto reported February retail sales of 9,712 Class 8 vehicles. Class 6-7 totaled 6,043 and mid-range (Class 3-5) sales reached 17,262. In all, Ward’s reported 526,726 trucks and SUVs were sold in February in all classes.

Class 8 February retail sales
Freightliner 3,900
Western Star 133
International 1,494
Kenworth 1,048
Peterbilt 1,025
Mack 841
Volvo 1,271

Class 6-7 February retail sales
Ford 738
Freightliner 2,565
Mitsubishi Fuso 16
Hino 264
International 2,062
Isuzu 1
Kenworth 198
Peterbilt 166
UD Trucks 33

Class 3-5 February retail sales
Dodge/Ram 7,902
Ford 5,993
Freightliner 60
Mitsubishi Fuso 37
Sterling 1
Hino 4
International 234
Isuzu 517
Kenworth 1
Peterbilt 4
UD Trucks 15