Aussie truck sales roll on

Registrations of new trucks and vans gained further momentum during the month of May, according to the latest TMARK data from Truck Industry Council.

A total of 3777 new commercial vehicles were registered for the month, the figure up 3.8 per cent from the same month last year, to bring the year-to-date tally to 15,900 units – that’s up 4.7% over the previous corresponding period.

And it seems the heavier the GVM, the greater the gains, with the heavy-duty segment leading the charge. The medium-duty and light-duty truck segments are also up compared to the same time last year, while the only major vehicle segment to post a decline was the light-duty van niche, which has fallen by over a third.

Here’s a quick rundown on each of the major categories, along with the top five brands in each by year-to-date sales…

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A total of 1274 new heavy-duty trucks were registered in May, representing growth of 21.3% over the same month last year, while the year-to-date total of 5322 units is up 20.5% on the same period last year.

Traditional heavy-duty market leader Kenworth remains on top with 1122 units year to date, which equates with growth of 27.8% over this time last year. Next is Isuzu with 810 units (up 58.2%), followed by Volvo with 755 (up 32.0%), Scania with 355 (up 21.8%), and UD Trucks with 335 (up 93.6%).

The gains in the medium-duty truck segment were somewhat more constrained, but healthy nonetheless. The total of 681 new trucks registered for the month was up 0.6% on May 2021, while the year-to-date tally of 2964 units is up 9.7%.

Isuzu dominates the medium-duty truck segment with 1341 units year-to-date, which is up an impressive 27.7% over the previous corresponding period. In second lies Hino with 925 units (down 3.2%), followed by Fuso with 503 (down 1.6%), UD Trucks with 61 (up 19.6%) and IVECO with 49 (down 2.0%).

May was a healthy month indeed in the light-duty truck segment, the niche’s 1329 new vehicles registered up 14.0% on the same month last year. The year-to-date total now stands at 5766 units, which is up 9.8%.

Isuzu remains on top in the light-duty sphere with 2371 units year to date, up 9.8%. Next lies Hino with 1363 units (up 9.1%), followed by Fuso with 1123 (up 23.7%), IVECO with 276 (down 7.1%) and Mercedes-Benz with 206 (up 3.0%).

While all the major truck segments recorded healthy gains in May, the picture is decidedly less rosy in the light-duty van market, where supply issues are ongoing. The total of 493 units registered in May represents a drop of 33.9% over May 2021, while the year-to-date tally of 1848 units is down 34.2% over the first five months of 2021.

Mercedes-Benz is on top with 764 units year to date, but that figure is down 14.1%. Second-placed Renault, however, is on a charge, its year-to-date tally of 446 units up an incredible 43.3%. Rounding out the podium is Volkswagen with 236 units (down 55.7%), followed by Ford with 222 (down 71.1%) and IVECO with 97 (down 21.1%).

“May was a strong month for heavy truck sales with all segments posting gains over May 2021,” said Tony McMullan, CEO of Truck Industry Council.

“Weak van sales are tempering the overall heavy vehicle sales numbers in 2022, but the market still looks set to set a new first half-year sales record, with just June sales to come. The month of June is typically a strong month for truck sales as we reach the end of our financial year and the signs are all positive that we will reach the halfway point of 2022 with a result that will rewrite the history books for heavy vehicle sales in Australia.

“These strong sales are a good indicator that business confidence is strong in the road freight sector, as it is across most economic segments.”

Trucksales will bring you a full wrap-up of commercial vehicle sales for the first half of 2022 next month.