Flying start for truck sales

Best January recorded for Australian truck sales since 2008

The latest Truck Industry Council (TIC) T-Mark data indicates that 1920 new trucks and light commercials were registered in January, the figure representing massive growth of 21.2 per cent over the same month last year.

In fact, the TIC reports the opening tally for the year is exactly the same as that for January 2007 – in a year that went on to become the country's best ever for new truck sales. Still, last month's figure falls short of the best-ever January total by 327 units, with 2247 vehicles being sold in January 2008.

The promising start could well be a sign the Australian truck market has finally thrown off the hangover of the Global Financial Crisis, with all segments all posting growth over the previous corresponding period.

Some 479 heavy-duty trucks were sold, the figure equating to growth of 9.4 per cent in a segment which has struggled in recent years. A total of 360 sales of medium-duty trucks were made last month, growth of 2.9 per cent, while the sale of 603 light-duty trucks equated with major growth of 28.3 per cent.

Even the van segment, which cooled somewhat last year compared to the record-breaking figure achieved in 2015, recorded 478 sales last month – that's growth of 46.6 per cent. That sales tally is an all-time January record.

The President of the TIC, Phil Taylor, said the January figures were promising.

"It was great to see a strong start to sales across all segments in January, with again the light end of the market leading the way," he said.

"Most brands have started 2017 well and the momentum that we saw in the second half of 2016 appears to have continued into this year. Signs are positive but of course we still have 11 months to go!"

However, Tony McMullan, TIC CEO, urged that the January figures should be met with some caution.

"It is a healthy start to a new year for heavy vehicle sales and the momentum of the later part of 2016 looks to have carried through to 2017," he said.

"However, January results can be somewhat unpredictable with the holiday season historically affecting December and January sales. The strong sales in January could be a result of some late December deliveries that were held up in bodybuilders, processing or stock delays from last year.

"We will have to wait for the February results to have a clearer picture of how the market is shaping up for 2017."

Flying start for truck sales

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