Study: EPA rules driving new truck demand

FTR Associates on April 22 said its analysis shows strong current truck production, but also cautions that a significant portion of current demand is a short-run surge being created by the imminent onset of new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-compliant 2010 engines.

According to FTR, fleets appear to be taking advantage of build slots for power units with pre-2010 EPA engines while they are still available, pulling demand forward from the second half of the year.

β€œThe current production numbers will not be sustained once the remaining stock of pre-2010 engines is exhausted,” said Eric Starks, president of FTR Associates. β€œThe basic issue affecting overall 2010 demand – the still-large inventory of underutilized and idle trucks – remains. Pulling ahead orders now to avoid 2010 engine technology will be at the expense of second-half production.”