How upfitters can prepare for 2026 construction demand

Eighteen months ago, a quiet shift began rippling through construction fleets across North America. For companies paying close attention to commercial vehicle registrations, the signal was unmistakable: new service and utility vehicles were being added to fleets at a surprising rate.

Now, the numbers confirm it: construction industry fleet registrations are up 6% from 18 months ago, and much of that growth is tied to vehicles that require upfits: dump trucks, flatbeds, service bodies, and utility beds. 

But this growth isn’t being driven by contractors. It’s coming from rental companies — an important detail that upfitters can’t afford to overlook.

Construction companies don't always build their own fleets, and  increasingly, they’re turning to rental providers to get the vehicles they need. 

That shift is showing up in the data. Today, names like United Rentals, Penske, Enterprise Truck Rental, Sunbelt Rentals, and Custom Equipment Rental are appearing more frequently on new vehicle registrations tied to construction use.

It’s a strategic move and it makes sense. In today’s environment, where speed, flexibility, and cost control are more critical than ever, renting upfitted, job-ready vehicles allows construction firms to scale operations quickly without the long-term financial commitment of ownership.

Rental providers can deliver exactly what’s needed, often within days, enabling contractors to take on more work without the usual delays of procurement or build time.

Meeting the demands of a new fleet paradigm

For upfitters, this also marks a significant shift. The vehicles they’re building are no longer bespoke, one-off solutions for a single contractor. They’re part of a larger, fast-moving ecosystem that depends on standardized, durable, and scalable solutions.

Rental fleets need upfits that can withstand the wear and tear of multiple users, across different jobsites and regions, with minimal downtime and maximum uptime.

These vehicles are not just support tools; they’re critical infrastructure. Every hour a truck is off the road is lost time and lost revenue. Upfitters who understand the pressure that rental fleets face, and who can deliver repeatable, maintenance-friendly designs, are poised to become essential partners in this next phase of construction fleet management. 

While the headline is fleet growth in the construction sector, the fine print reveals which specific types of upfits and vehicle configurations are driving that expansion, and where the biggest opportunities lie for upfitters to innovate and plan for 2026.

Based on the latest data and automotive insights from S&P Global Mobility, the five fastest growing upfit types in the construction space right now are:

• Dump trucks

• Service bodies

• Utility beds with crane support

• Flatbeds

• Enclosed service vans

These aren’t just popular, they’re practical. These vehicles are workhorses, essential for hauling, lifting, servicing, and supporting crews on job sites of every kind. But looking ahead to 2026, the story starts to shift from what fleets are buying to how they want those vehicles to perform.

We're seeing two themes emerge that upfitters need to plan for:

• First, auxiliary power systems are evolving. Traditionally, commercial vehicles used power take-offs (PTOs) — mechanical devices that draw power directly from the engine — or separate generators to run tools, lighting, or refrigeration equipment. Increasingly, however, these tools and equipment are being powered directly from vehicle batteries, a trend accelerated by the growing presence of EVs in the fleet. That requires smarter integration and better power management.
• Second, weight is becoming a strategic factor. As battery systems add pounds, fleet owners are seeking lighter upfit materials that help maintain their payload capacity — the total weight the vehicle can safely carry — without compromising on strength or durability. Aluminum bodies, composite components, and modular accessories will all play a role here.

In short, upfitters can no longer just build for function: they have to build for efficiency, integration, and future adaptability.