Manufacturers
Empowering Manufacturers with Data-Driven Insights
As the leading source for commercial vehicle market data and forecasts, ACT Research provides manufacturers with the intelligence they need to stay ahead of market trends, optimize production, and drive profitability. Our comprehensive data and insights empower manufacturers to make informed decisions at every stage of the production cycle, from supply chain planning to market entry strategies.
Get Transportation IntelligenceManufacturers across North America trust ACT Research for accurate, timely, and actionable insights. Our data-driven approach provides a clear view of market dynamics, helping you anticipate shifts and capitalize on opportunities. Here’s how we support your business:
- Forecasting Precision: Predict future demand with confidence using our industry-leading forecasts for Class 8 and medium-duty trucks, trailers, and more.
- Market Analysis: Stay informed with detailed analysis of industry trends, production schedules, and market fluctuations.
- Production Optimization: Leverage our insights to fine-tune manufacturing schedules and adjust inventory based on real-time demand data.
I would recommend ACT Research to anyone that’s looking for in-depth insight into what’s happening in the commercial vehicle markets. The expertise and knowledge that goes into the service they provide, there’s not a better solution, in my opinion, for commercial vehicle data than ACT Research.
Jeff Trent
Mahle
Solutions for Manufacturers
ACT Research is the trusted partner that helps you navigate the road ahead with clarity and confidence, no matter your unique challenges.
Production Planning & Forecasting
Stay ahead of market shifts with our robust forecasting tools. ACT Research delivers monthly updates and long-term projections that help manufacturers anticipate demand changes, optimize production cycles, and go-to-market strategies.
Supply Chain Insights
Access real-time data to identify bottlenecks, assess supplier risk, and adapt to disruptions. Our supply chain insights ensure your operations remain agile and responsive to market changes.
Market Entry Strategies
Make data-informed decisions on new product introductions and market expansions. Our comprehensive market reports offer a deep understanding of key segments, allowing you to evaluate the potential of emerging opportunities.
Benchmarking & Performance Analysis
Measure your performance against industry standards. Our reports offer benchmarks across various metrics, enabling you to identify areas for improvement and drive operational excellence.
Regulatory & Compliance Data
Navigate the complexities of regulations with access to data that helps you stay compliant with federal and state requirements. We provide updates on emission standards, safety regulations, and other critical compliance issues affecting the manufacturing landscape.
We Focus on 3 Things
Our transportation intelligence solutions give you actionable supply and demand insights to make better, smarter decisions for your business, not as a vendor or tool, but as a partner in your process.
- ACT Proprietary Data
- ACT Methodology
- ACT Human Intelligence
ACT Proprietary Data
It starts with an exclusive view of Class 8 trucks and tractor splits, providing clarity on the Class 8 tractor capacity. ACT Research is the only company receiving this information monthly directly from the North American truck OEMs (Daimler, PACCAR, Volvo, Navistar). Separating Class 8 straight trucks and Class 8 tractors gives us (and you) visibility into two important pieces of the supply of Class 8 equipment for the freight markets:
1) The number of new Class 8 Tractors Retail Sales, which means new tractors entering the fleet.
2) The change in the active population of the Class 8 Tractor, measuring the total working fleet.
ACT Methodology
ACT has been providing historically accurate Class 8 tractor forecasts, trusted for more than 35 years by Fortune 500 companies, Wall Street's largest investment firms, commercial vehicle equipment manufacturers and suppliers, rental and leasing firms, and others. Serving the commercial vehicle equipment market for decards, we bring this Class 8 tractor understanding to you, giving a supply and demand-focused, balanced, strong, and flexible foundation of analysis.
ACT Human Intelligence
Our team isn't just experienced; they're seen as the leaders in forecasting demand for commercial vehicles. We bring you insights from the only transportation intelligence company with more than 250 years of combined experience in forecasting Class 8 tractors. Because of our longstanding work in the market, we challenge traditional market views and offer different perspectives to help you see the market in new ways.
Solutions for the Road Ahead
North America Commercial Vehicle Outlook Plus
Comprehensive Decarbonization Insights for a Zero-Emission Future
What It Offers:
- NA Commercial Vehicle Outlook: Everything in the monthly NA CV Outlook update.
- ZEV Adoption Forecasts: Detailed, bottom-up forecasts for battery-electric, hydrogen fuel cell, and natural gas vehicles, focusing on Classes 4-8 trucks.
- Infrastructure Readiness Analysis: Coverage and analysis of EV charging and hydrogen refueling station development.
- Regulatory Compliance: Detailed timelines and insights into U.S. and Canadian emissions regulations (CARB, EPA), helping you stay ahead of upcoming mandates.
Who Benefits?
- Fleet managers and CFOs planning for ZEV adoption and infrastructure investments.
- OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers focusing on new propulsion systems and regulatory alignment.
- Shippers and logistics providers seeking to meet sustainability targets while maintaining operations.
North America Commercial Vehicle Outlook
Industry-Leading Forecasts to Support Strategic Decisions
What It Offers:
- Class 4-8 Vehicle Forecasts: Get a comprehensive view of vehicle demand trends across trucks and trailers over the next 1, 5, and 10 years.
- Economic and Industry Drivers: Analyze key economic factors driving the commercial vehicle industry.
- Population Composition and Demand Trends: Insights into population models, active fleet, and age.
Who Benefits?
- OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers aligning production capacity with market demand.
- Financial and investment firms tracking industry performance.
- Fleet managers and CFOs optimizing vehicle acquisition strategies.
Freight & Transportation Forecast
TL, LTL, & Intermodal Rate & Volume Forecast
What If Offers:
1. TL Contract & Spot Rate Forecasts: Broken down by Reefer, Flatbed, & Dry Van
2. Cass Shipments & Truckload Linehaul® Indexes Forecasts: Since 2019 Cass & ACT has partnered to provide deeper insights into the TL volumes.
3. ACT Freight Composite Index Forecast: A freight-weighted GDP measure of the economic activity generating freight.
4. LTL & Intermodal Rate and Volume Forecasts: Coverage of and forecasts of the LTL and Intermodal sectors of the market that move freight.
5. ACT For-Hire Survey Indexes: A look at life from the perspective of truckers with our For-Hire Survey Indexes covering topics from rates to drivers to equipment.
Who Benefits?
- Fleet Managers and Operations Directors managing capacity and pricing strategies in response to market shifts and freight rate fluctuations.
- CFOs and Financial Analysts optimizing budgets and planning for capital investments based on demand forecasts and freight trends.
- OEMs and Tier 1 Suppliers developing products and forecasts aligned with freight demand and industry cycles.
- Shippers and Logistics Providers aiming to balance cost efficiency with timely delivery in an unpredictable market.
- Investment Analysts and Market Researchers assessing freight sector health and guiding strategic investments for stakeholders.
- Freight Brokers and Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Providers adjusting pricing models and service offerings in line with freight rate trends and capacity indicators.
Engine Forecast
Comprehensive Engine Production Forecast for Strategic Planning
What It Offers:
- NA Commercial Vehicle Outlook Integration: Includes all insights from the NA CV Outlook monthly update, ensuring users have a cohesive view of vehicle market trends.
- Engine Production Forecasts: In-depth, bottom-up forecasts for North American engine demand across Class 4-8 trucks, including segmentation by fuel types and powertrains.
- Market Trend Analysis: Detailed analysis of market dynamics impacting engine production, from regulatory impacts to shifts in fuel preferences.
- Emission Standards Insight: Timelines and analysis of U.S. and Canadian emissions regulations, providing foresight into compliance and future requirements.
Who Benefits?
- Engine Manufacturers and Tier 1 Suppliers planning production cycles and R&D investments to align with forecasted demand and regulatory changes.
- Fleet Managers and CFOs strategizing around fleet composition and future equipment needs based on powertrain trends.
- Policy Makers and Regulators assessing future engine production to support emissions reduction goals and compliance initiatives.
- Investment Analysts and Market Researchers evaluating the engine sector’s health and trends to guide strategic investments in the commercial vehicle market.
Manufacturers Face Mixed Signals as Orders Lag and Regulatory Uncertainty Persists
With Class 8 orders slowing, EPA 2027 prebuy stalling, and macro risk still looming, commercial vehicle manufacturers shift from volume chasing to backlog balancing.
August 2025 finds North America’s commercial vehicle manufacturers in a tactical holding pattern. ACT Research’s latest NA Commercial Vehicle Outlook paints a clear picture; fleets are cautious, order volumes remain well below replacement levels, and the long-anticipated prebuy surge tied to EPA 2027 has yet to materialize.
Despite stable build rates and manageable supply chains, manufacturers are navigating softer demand, prolonged sales cycles, and an increasingly risk-averse customer base. The focus now is not on expansion, but on maintaining production discipline, managing backlog health, and aligning inventory with realistic fleet timelines.
Class 8 Orders Continue to Undershoot Expectations
July net Class 8 orders were among the lowest year-to-date, reinforcing a trend seen since early Q2. OEMs are continuing to fulfill backlogged orders, but new intake has slowed meaningfully. Carriers remain hesitant, citing inflationary pressure, weak margins, and ongoing emissions-related ambiguity.
Tariff exposure continues to drive up component and material costs, with per-unit tractor inflation estimated between 2 and 3 percent. This has dampened buyer enthusiasm and added friction to the quoting process, especially in long-haul applications where ROI is already stretched thin.
Prebuy Activity Remains on Pause
While EPA 2027 emissions rules are still officially on the books, the lack of final enforcement guidance is stalling prebuy planning across the industry. Large fleets are hesitant to commit capital without clarity on compliance timelines, technical requirements, and funding incentives.
For manufacturers, that means preparing for prebuy without building for it just yet. This includes refining EPA-compliant spec options, evaluating production flexibility, and collaborating closely with suppliers to ensure scalability if and when prebuy demand accelerates.
Medium-Duty and Vocational Segments Show More Stability
Classes 5–7 and vocational demand continue to show more resilience, supported by infrastructure activity, local government procurement, and food-related distribution. However, even these segments are trending sideways rather than up, with buyer behavior driven more by replacement needs than expansion plans.
Body builders, upfitters, and specialty equipment suppliers should focus on lead-time transparency and application-specific performance rather than volume push. With credit conditions still tight and end-user profitability under pressure, value-based sales narratives are more effective than cost-justified volume arguments.
August underscores that 2025 is not a growth year, it’s a reset year. For commercial vehicle manufacturers, the path forward means aligning production with reality, managing working capital carefully, and staying strategically positioned for if and when the EPA and economic signals finally point north again.
Want to hear more from ACT Research? Ken Vieth, President & Senior Analyst, and Jim Meil, Principal, Industry Analysis of ACT Research, as they unpack the biggest themes from the Market Vitals Seminar 73.
ACT Research Market Vitals Seminar 73: Challenges, Costs, and Change (12:48 minute watch)
5 Reasons You Should Choose ACT Research
Choosing ACT Research for your market insights and forecasting means partnering with industry leaders renowned for their precision and insight. Our forecasting solutions are built on unparalleled data accuracy and deep market analysis, providing you with the tools to stay ahead of market trends.
- Proprietary Data
- Methodology
- Human Intelligence
- Track Record of Success
- Trusted by Industry Leaders
Market Guidance for Dealers & Leasing Companies
Unlock the power to predict and prosper. ACT's precision analytics arm companies like yours with unparalleled foresight into market trends, enabling you to master market swings, navigate demand changes, manage inventory risk, and boost profitability . Get ahead, stay ahead, and turn market volatility into your competitive edge.
Drive Your Company To Success with ACT Research's Premium Market Insights
By partnering with ACT Research, dealers and leasing firms gain the advantage of data-driven insights to support effective risk management, uncover new opportunities, and confidently navigate the complexities of the transportation market. Our market intelligence services not only aligns with the fluctuating needs of the industry but also provides a cost-effective solution for accessing industry expertise and insights, empowering dealers and leasing companies to make strategic decisions that drive growth and profitability.