Commercial Vehicle Strength in 2018 May Face 2019 Headwinds

According to the latest market intel from ACT Research, the desire to get Class 8 trucks built and out the door for 2018 taxation benefits drove a build plan last month. 

“Heavy-duty build rose 4,500 units above the plan in December, and we assume the surge was largely overtime based,” said Kenny Vieth, ACT Research’s President and Senior Analyst. He added, “Indicative of current market strength, cancellations, which had been elevated, dropped to a five-month low.” The report also noted that macro-economic indicators are flashing yellow, with concerns ranging from tariffs and trade wars to a global economic slowdown and falling commodity prices, as well as a flat yield curve, quantitative tightening, and sharply lower equity valuations. 

Regarding the medium duty markets, Vieth commented, “An in-line build rate allowed the medium duty backlog to end the year at a 12-plus year high, with benign cancellations. Unlike the heavy-duty segment, however, medium duty inventories remain elevated.” 

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