TRUCKMAKERS NEWS * USA - Mack adding second shift to keep up with truck demand

Macungie,PA,USA -Truck News (CAN) -May 20, 2011: -- Mack Trucks is hiring workers and ramping up production of its Pinnacle highway truck... The company said it requires about 300 new employees to support production demand of its Mack Pinnacle, and since it has already recalled most of its laid-off workers, most of the additional personnel will be new hires... "Customers are extremely pleased with the Pinnacle model and our MP series engines, in terms of both performance and fuel economy," said Kevin Flaherty, Mack senior vice-president, US and Canada. "With recently announced enhancements to our vehicle aerodynamics and engine offerings, we expect the enthusiasm to continue" ... Mack will be adding a second shift at its Macungie plant and says it will have the new hires up and running by early August... (Image from Macktrucks: Macungie plant Assembly Operations)

* USA - Steady growth in light & medium/heavy regs

Detroit,MICH,USA -AutomotiveWorld -May 23, 2011: -- A new report published by AutomotiveWorld.com forecasts steady growth in US light vehicle registrations to 16.3 million units in 2015, and considerable growth over the same period in new registrations of medium and heavy (on-road, including buses) vehicles...  The report, entitled Forecast: The US new vehicle market: prospects to 2015, sees growth in US light vehicle registrations of 15% in 2011, with further growth of 13% in 2012...  Whilst 2010 saw a year-on-year rise in medium and heavy registrations, this figure was still well down compared to some recent years, and the second lowest since 1991. However, the forecast anticipates growth of 41% in Class 4-8 for 2011, followed by 26% in 2012. Sales will continue to rise in 2013, but at a slower rate, before a peak in 2014 and a cyclical decline in 2015... (Photo from cache.gawkerassets: medium_GMC-Isuzu)