Truck Orders Up

fter months of optimistic predictions, truck makers said orders for heavy-duty vehicles were picking up significantly, including Volvo Trucks North America Inc.’s Dec. 5 completion of the largest order ever of its VN tractors.

Manufacturers said the improving economy, coupled with aging fleets and a growing confidence in the new-model 2002 engines after uncertain initial acceptance, were among the forces driving sales upward.

All this bodes well for 2004 truck sales, they said, providing welcome relief after several dismal years. Even this year, while there has been some improvement in general economic activity, truck sales have generally lagged behind 2002 because that year’s sales were helped a pre-buy rush to avoid new engines mandated by tightening federal emissions rules.