The U.S. economy should pick up next year to grow at a 2.5% pace and stimulate trucking demand, American Trucking Associations Chief Economist Bob Costello said.

Speaking during a webinar, Costello said higher factory output and domestic energy production should increase gross domestic product to 2.5% from the 1.7% expected for this year. Increased hiring and higher consumer income also will spur demand in 2014, he said, along with rising demand for cars, light trucks and housing.

“On the demand side, things are looking a little bit better,” he said. “If the economy is doing better, this industry is going to do better.”