In the latest release of the North American Commercial Vehicle Outlook, ACT projects full-year production of Class 8 vehicles will be up 26 percent compared to 2009.

The forecast for medium-duty vehicle (Classes 5-7) production remains at 12 percent year-over-year growth as the housing and construction sectors struggle to regain footing.

“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.”