Global demand for heavy vehicles rises by 50%

Sept. 16, 2010

Global demand for heavy commercial vehicles exceeded 1.7 million units during the first six months of 2010, a 50% increase from the same period in 2009, according to R.L. Polk & Co.

"While demand for heavy commercial vehicles in the U.S. and Canada is slowly improving over industry declines since 2007, demand for heavy commercial vehicles in the rest of the world, especially China and India, is increasing at a significant rate," say Polk officials.

Commercial vehicle sales are up by 84% in India and 66% in China. Sales in Russia also have experienced a 65% increase. "Brazil had an increase in demand for heavy commercial vehicles of 64% vs. the same five-month period in 2009." (Six-month data for Brazil is unavialble, according to Polk.)

"It is important for manufacturers and parts suppliers to have a good understanding of the demand for heavy commercial vehicles by country to identify trends, manage inventory and provide the necessary resources within markets around the globe," says Mark Seng, vice president, sales and client services, Polk.

"Approximately 88% of the demand for these vehicles is outside of the U.S. and Canada."