Have you ever seen the beginning of a tidal wave? Not the front-facing part; the part that levels everything in its path. The beginning. The genesis.
It’s barely more than a ripple. That ripple builds momentum over time and eventually becomes one of nature’s most powerful forces.
The trucking industry is at the begin- ning of an exciting ripple of its own, and the aftermarket sits squarely in its path.
Sales of new trucks are booming at levels above expectations.
ACT Research increased its 2014 forecast of U. S. Class 8 retail sales to reach 226,900 units, up 21 percent over 2013. Early projections for 2015 are coming in around 235,000.
Since October, Class 8 orders have been booked at a 318,100 units SAAR, according to ACT, and Class 8 net orders year-to-date stand at an average of more than 28,000 per month, 28 percent ahead of last year.
That ripple is certainly a benefit for OEMs and dealers right now, but as time wears on and that momentum builds, it will eventually crash into the aftermarket.
