Heavy vehicles power on in March

While sales of commercial vehicles essentially held steady in March 2014, the heavy-duty segment has powered ahead

According to the latest data from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), heavy commercial vehicle sales held their ground in March 2014, with the 2670 units sold representing a marginal contraction of 0.5 per cent over March 2013.

The year-to-date figures, however, are less favourable, the 6680 units sold to the end of March representing a drop of 4.6 per cent over the corresponding 2013 period.

While the light-duty and medium-duty segments both recorded drops in March of 6.1 per cent, the heavy-duty segment surged ahead – the 872 sales recorded representing impressive growth of 13.2 per cent.

The performance also puts the heavy-duty segment at 3.9 per cent up in the year-to-date figures.

In the light-duty segment Isuzu’s N series trucks are leading the way with 237 units, even though that figure is 17.1 per cent down on March 2013. The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is next with 228 sales (up 5.1 per cent on March 2013), followed by Hino’s 300 series (156 sales, up 6.8 per cent from March 2013).

In the medium-duty segment it’s Hino’s 500 series out in front, the 185 sales there grabbing a leading 27.1 per cent market share despite the sales being 24.2 per cent down on March 2013. Next comes Isuzu’s F series with 164 sales (down 18.4 per cent), followed by Mitsubishi’s Fighter (89 sales, down 7.3 per cent).

The heavy-duty segment saw Kenworth maintain its dominant market share, its 182 sales giving it a 20.9 per cent slice of the pie despite the number being 2.7 per cent down on March 2013. Volvo slotted in next with 129 sales (the number also representing 33 per cent growth), followed by Isuzu (98 sales, up a meteoric 172.2 per cent).

The light commercial segment shrank by one per cent in March 2014 with 16,740 sales, while the 44,821 sales made year to date equate with a contraction of 9.4 per cent over the corresponding period last year.

Utes were the shining light in the LCV market, the 4112 sales recorded in March 2014 representing growth of 15.9 per cent over March 2013, while year-to-date sales are up 1.3 per cent.

Heavy vehicles power on in March

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