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March 8, 2002 7:58 AM, EST

Despite signs of a strengthening economy, several medium-duty truck manufacturing executives said they expect the midrange commercial truck market to remain in the doldrums this year with sales comparable to 2001, perhaps even dropping slightly.

“The Class 6 and 7 segment of the medium-duty market has been weak for the last 12 months,” said Steve Keate, president of International Truck & Engine Corp. “This coming year, we’re not seeing anything (to say) that demand will pick up from 2001.”

Mike Parrish, medium-duty product manager with Kenworth Truck Co., echoed that forecast.

“We see the market as being flat, although we do see it improving as the year goes on,” he said.

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