Truck Reps Hope Oct. 1 Brings Only Mild Dip

LAS VEGAS — Sales representatives manning booths for Class 8 truck manufacturers here said they think truck sales may take only a mild decline come Oct. 1 when they must begin selling trucks with engines that meet federal guidelines for new emissions standards.

The statements contradict claims by fleet owners and industry observers, and at times by equipment manufacturers themselves, that heavy-duty truck sales could be poor throughout the fourth quarter of this year and perhaps well into 2003 because customers are buying up so many current models and waiting to see how the new-model engines perform.

But representatives of heavy-duty truck makers Kenworth Truck Co., International Truck and Engine Corp. and Freightliner Trucks interviewed at the International Truck Show June 27-29 each said they remained optimistic that truck sales would resume their upward trend as customers see the new engines in operation and as underlying freight demand picks up.

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