Suppliers Say They Can Survive Potential 2007 Boom-Bust Cycle

AS VEGAS — Suppliers at the International Trucking Show here said they could weather another boom-bust cycle in their industry if trucking fleets postpone buying model-year 2007 trucks with engines designed to meet tougher diesel emissions standards.

Several suppliers holding news conferences ahead of the show’s opening told Transport Topics they could survive such a scenario, although some in the industry have warned that a repeat of the 2002 “pre-buy” scenario would wreak havoc in the community of parts and components suppliers.

The manufacturing companies said that even if fleets pursue a strategy of buying older models to avoid the new engines — as many did ahead of the October 2002 rules — suppliers could aim toward other markets or ride out ups and downs by controlling their costs.