Aussie truck sales keep rolling

The Truck Industry Council’s T-Mark sales data for September has landed, and as we close the third quarter of the calendar year the Australian commercial vehicle industry remains on track for yet another all-time record.

Despite yet another relatively flat month for sales overall in September, all but the light-duty truck segment posted growth compared to the same month last year, while every major segment (overall, heavy-duty truck, medium-duty truck, light-duty truck, and light-duty van) is up – some significantly – in the year-to-date tally.

With three months of 2023 left to run, it seems the industry is inching toward yet another all-time record year of new vehicle sales, although – as the last few years have taught us – anything can happen between now and December 31.

Let’s take a closer look at the segment-by-segment breakdown…

Rank, Brand, 2022 YTD, 2023 YTD, % CHG

1. Isuzu, 9642, 10,351, +7.4%
2. Hino, 4745, 4371, -7.9%
3. Fuso, 3604, 3747, +4.0%
4. Volvo, 1640, 2576, +57.1%
5. Kenworth, 2141, 2564, +19.8%
6. Mercedes-Benz, 1007, 1161, +15.3%
7. IVECO, 988, 1159, +17.3%
8. Scania, 799, 953, +19.3%
9. UD Trucks, 881, 860, -2.4%
10. Mack, 552, 779, +41.4%
11. DAF, 463, 636, +37.4%
12. FIAT, 367, 562, +55.1%
13. Freightliner, 361, 288, -20.2%
14. Hyundai, 202, 237, +17.3%
15. MAN, 267, 216, -19.1%
16. Renault, 285, 133, -53.3%
17. Western Star, 178, 128, -28.1%
18. Volkswagen, 66, 85, +28.8%
19. Foton, N/A, 60, N/A
20. Dennis Eagle, 43, 45, +4.7%
21. SEA Electric, 11, 20, +81.8%
22. Ford, 44, 11, -75.0
Total YTD: 35,452 (+10.0%)

A total of 3954 new trucks and vans were sold in September which equates with paltry growth of just 0.7 per cent over the same month last year. However, despite this, the overall tally of 35,452 new vehicles is up a solid 10.0% on last year’s record total.

Across the individual brands, it’s a mixed bag in the overall figures, with some up and some down (and some significantly in either direction). Standouts include market leader Isuzu, still on top and posting growth of 7.4% year on year, and Volvo, which has posted year-to-date growth of 57.1%.

There are several more strong performers towards the top of the ladder, including Kenworth (up 19.8%), Mercedes-Benz (up 15.3%), IVECO (up 17.3%), Scania (up 19.3%), Mack (up 41.4%), and DAF (up 37.4%), while it hasn’t been so rosy for brands including Hino (down 7.9%), Freightliner (down 20.2%), MAN (down 19.1%) and Western Star (down 28.1%).

In the major manufacturing blocks, Daimler (Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner, Fuso) leads the way with 5196 sales year to date, followed by Volvo Group Australia (Volvo, Mack, UD Trucks) with 4215, PACCAR Australia (Kenworth, DAF) with 3200, and Penske (MAN, Western Star, Dennis Eagle) with 389.

Rank, Brand, 2022 YTD, 2023 YTD, % CHG

1. Kenworth, 2140, 2564, +19.8%
2. Volvo, 1611, 2538, +57.4%
3. Isuzu, 1485, 1734, +16.8%
4. Scania, 799, 953, +19.3%
5. Mack, 552, 779, +41.1%
6. UD Trucks, 742, 737, -0.7%
7. Mercedes-Benz, 583, 719, +23.3%
8. DAF, 433, 620, +43.2%
9. Fuso, 578, 557, -3.6%
10. Hino, 576, 551, -4.13%
11. Freightliner, 361, 288, -20.2%
12. IVECO, 289, 244, -15.6%
13. MAN, 210, 193, -8.1%
14. Western Star, 178, 128, -28.1%
15. Dennis Eagle, 43, 45, +4.7%
16. Hyundai, 5, 2, -60.0%
Total YTD: 12,652 (+19.5%)

The heavy-duty truck segment enjoyed a strong month of sales in September, the month’s tally of 1396 units up a solid 9.1%, but at the top end of town it’s the year-to-date total that is grabbing attention. Some 12,652 new heavy-duty trucks have been sold so far this year, which is up an impressive 19.5% over this time last year.

The top six brands by sales in this segment all posted strong growth, most notably Volvo (up 57.4%), but Kenworth is back on top of the chart again with its sales also up 19.8%. It’s also been a big year for Mack, with the bulldog brand up 41.1% year to date.

Looking to the manufacturer blocks, it’s Volvo Group Australia leading the way in the heavy-duty segment with 4054 sales, followed by PACCAR Australia (3184), Daimler (1564) and Penske (366).

Rank, Brand, 2022 YTD, 2023 YTD, % CHG

1. Isuzu, 2401, 2933, +22.2%
2. Hino, 1804, 1565, -13.2%
3. Fuso, 981, 975, -0.6%
4. UD Trucks, 139, 123, -11.5%
5. Hyundai, 44, 69, +56.8%
6. IVECO, 103, 77, -25.2%
7. Volvo, 29, 38, +31.0%
8. Mercedes-Benz, 32, 34, +6.3%
9. MAN, 57, 23, -59.6%
10. SEA Electric, 11, 20, +81.8%
11. DAF, 30, 16, -46.7
Total YTD: 5873 (+4.3%)

Sales of medium-duty trucks were up a little in September, with the 646 units registered equating with growth of 2.5% over September 2022. However, the year-to-date tally is a little stronger, with the 5873 trucks representing growth of 4.3%.

Segment leader Isuzu is the standout here, posting year-to-date growth of 22.2%, while fellow Japanese podium-getters, Hino and Fuso, where down by 13.3% and 0.6% respectively.

Rank, Brand, 2022 YTD, 2023 YTD, % CHG

1. Isuzu, 5756, 5684, -1.3%
2. Hino, 2365, 2255, -4.7%
3. Fuso, 2045, 2215, +8.3%
4. IVECO, 596, 838, +40.6%
5. FIAT, 367, 562, +53.1%
6. Mercedes-Benz, 392, 408, +4.1%
7. Hyundai, 153, 166, +8.5%
8. Renault, 285, 133, -53.3%
9. Volkswagen, 66, 85, +28.8%
10. Foton, N/A, 60, N/A
11. Ford, 44, 11, -75.0%
Total YTD: 12,417 (+2.9%)

It was a tough month for the light-duty truck market, with the 1303 trucks registered also signaling a drop of 14.4%. Despite the lacklustre figure, year to date the segment remains ahead, the 12,417 light trucks registered delivering growth of 2.9% over the previous corresponding period.

Here market leader Isuzu is actually down 1.3%, while Hino remains just ahead of Fuso to round out the podium. IVECO is on a flyer, its sales up 40.6% year to date, as is FIAT, the fellow Italian brand up 53.1%. Renault, however, is struggling, down 53.3%, while Ford (down 75.0%!) continues to struggle with supply chain issues.

Rank, Brand, 2022 YTD, 2023 YTD, % CHG

1. Mercedes-Benz, 1522, 1922, +26.3%
2. Volkswagen, 568, 807, +42.1%
3. Renault, 1049, 793, -24.4%
4. FIAT, 152, 422, +177.6%
5. IVECO, 338, 343, +1.5%
6. Ford, 318, 223, -29.9%
Total YTD: 4510 (+14.3%)

At the light end of the spectrum, sales of light-duty vans grew strongly in September, the segment’s 609 vehicles up 22.5%. The segment is up in the year-to-date stakes too, the 4510 units registered equating with growth of 14.3%.

Mercedes-Benz leads the TIC figures (which don’t include Chinese brand LDV) and posted growth of 26.3%. Second-placed Volkswagen also grew strongly, it’s 807 sales up 42.1%, while third-placed Renault is down 24.4%, with 793 units.

Commenting on the latest results, the Chief Executive Officer of TIC, Tony McMullan, said: “It was a solid quarter for the heavy and medium truck segments, while sales in the light-duty truck and van segments have slowed noticeably in quarter three.

"At the end of the third quarter 2023, total heavy vehicle sales are up over the same point in 2022, but not to the same degree as we saw at the end of June this year. I believe that the end of the instant asset write-off tax incentive, in June 2023 and interest rate rises, are now starting to negatively impact new truck sales.

"However, with just three months to go until year end, the industry is still on track hit a new market peak, though this is mainly due to the stellar sales seen from January to June this year.” Mr McMullan concluded.