ACT still bullish on Class 8

ACT Research Co. (ACT) has declared it “remains bullish on Class 8 in the medium to longer term,” according to the February issue of its ACT North American Commercial Vehicle Outlook. “We look for economic activity in 2012 to expand at a moderate pace not too different from the 1.7% experienced in 2011,” said Sam Kahan, ACT’s chief economist.

“Regarding commercial vehicles,” he continued, “there has been little change in the outlook, because underlying demand drivers remain strong. Demand for heavy trucks and trailers is running stronger than demand for medium-duty vehicles because of strong freight markets and healthy trucker profitability.”

ACT had previously reported that Class 8 orders ended 2011 with the second-best order month in six years, as Class 8 net orders rose to 30,293 units. ACT said that, when seasonally adjusted, December’s orders were the best since April - and resumed the stronger order trend that has been observed since August.