Mack Expects 2007 Sales Drop to Be Less Severe Than 2003
February Class 8 Orders to Be ‘Strong,’ CEO Says
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leet customers are buying new trucks ahead of schedule to avoid paying sharply higher prices for 2007 models, but an expected drop in sales next year probably will not be as bad as it was after emission regulations took effect in October 2002, Mack Trucks officials said.
“The pre-buy has, frankly, started,” CEO Paul Vikner told Transport Topics. He added that January orders for Class 8 trucks were very high, and “February is going to be very, very, very strong as well.”
Even if the “worst-case scenario” of a 30-35% sales drop happens in 2007, it would slow the heavy-truck industry’s output to an annual rate of about 200,000, Vikner said. Industry sales fell below 150,000 in 2003.
