Australian truck sales remain resilient in 2025 despite market slowdown

The Australian truck market delivered a resilient finish to 2025, recording its third-highest annual sales result despite economic headwinds and the introduction of significant new emissions regulations.

While overall momentum eased following a record-breaking 2024, the industry continued its run of surpassing the 40,000-unit milestone for a fourth consecutive year – a benchmark first achieved in 2018.

According to official T-Mark data released by the Truck Industry Council (TIC), a total of 45,191 new trucks and heavy vans were delivered in the 2025 calendar year. This represents an 11.9 per cent decline (6086 units) compared to the all-time record of 51,277 units set in 2024.

Despite the dip, the result remains historically strong, surpassing the previous record set in 2022 (44,379 units). The figures suggest a ‘new normal’ for the heavy vehicle industry, with consistently strong demand across light, medium and heavy segments.

TIC CEO, Tony McMullan, said the outcome was encouraging given the economic challenges faced throughout the year, including cost-of-living pressures and several high-profile transport company closures.

“Despite the challenging economic environment that prevailed across the Australian economy in 2025, it was pleasing to see new truck sales hold up well,” he told Trucksales.com.au.

Several factors contributed to the market’s normalisation in 2025, most notably the transition to ADR 80/04 (Euro 6) emissions regulations, which became mandatory for new models in November. The change impacted vehicle availability and pricing across multiple segments.

While the new standards deliver improved fuel efficiency and lower NOx and particulate emissions – a positive outcome for ESG-focused operators – they have also resulted in higher upfront vehicle costs.

Compounding this was the closure of several major transport operators, which released a wave of late-model, high-quality used trucks into the market. McMullan believes this influx displaced some new-vehicle demand during the year.

The heavy-duty segment felt the brunt of the market slowdown, with sales falling 16.7 percent to a total of 14,297 units across 2025.

Kenworth maintained a commanding lead in the segment, delivering 3347 trucks for a 23.4 percent market share, while second place went to Volvo with a total 2326 sales across the year.

Isuzu rounded out the top three with 2221 deliveries.

Heavy-duty truck sales in 2025:

The medium-duty segment continued its slow decline as operators increasingly opted for either larger heavy-duty prime movers or city-suited light-duty trucks. Sales fell 18 per cent to 6672 units, compared with last year’s total of 8132.

Isuzu maintained its medium-duty dominance, claiming nearly 50 per cent of the segment with 3267 sales as it rolled out its new Euro 6 F-series lineup. Hino followed with 2093 sales for the year, while Fuso rounded out the top three with 898 deliveries.

The segment now sits 32.8 per cent below its 2007 peak, underscoring the ongoing structural shift in the market, with no sign of a near-term recovery.

Medium-duty truck sales in 2025:

Light-duty trucks again proved resilient in 2025, accounting for 33.1 per cent of all new heavy vehicles sold. Total sales reached 13,712 units, a modest 5.8 per cent decline that suggests the segment is unlikely to continue its downward trend.

Isuzu’s dominance was again evident, with 6941 deliveries accounting for a record 50.6 per cent share of the light-duty market. Hino followed with 1906 sales across the year, narrowly ahead of third-placed Fuso on 1904 units.

While light-duty sales remained below last year’s 14,558 units, December provided a positive signal, with 183 new small trucks delivered — up 20 on the same month last year.

Light-duty truck sales in 2025:

Van sales above 3.5-tonne GVM totalled 10,510 units in 2025, down 8.1 per cent on 2024 but still a promising result given the segment is now the third-best performing in the Australian truck market, accounting for 22.1 per cent of total industry sales.

Mercedes-Benz led the segment with 3284 sales, followed by LDV on 2316 units, while Renault secured third place with 1396 deliveries.

Light-duty van sales in 2025:

While sales remain historically high, McMullan expressed concern over the average age of the Australian truck fleet, which now sits at 14.8 years — older than fleets in Europe, North America and major Asian markets.

“An old truck fleet is not conducive to improved safety, public health, and environmental outcomes,” he said.

He believes further government action should be taken to encourage the uptake of safer, cleaner trucks.