Solid sales continue for October

Another healthy month, as heavy-duty truck sales inch closer to all-time record…

According to the latest T-Mark data from the Truck Industry Council, sales in the third quarter of this year highlighted a trend of slowing new truck deliveries for the year, despite the overall market for commercial vehicles recording growth of 10.9 per cent for October over the same month last year.

A total of 34,446 new commercial vehicles have been registered to the end of October for this calendar year, which is up 15.9 per cent on the same time last year.

All market segments, except light-duty van, posted gains over the corresponding month last year but, overall, the stellar growth seen from January to June is cooling in the back half of 2018.

Heavy-duty truck sales were solid in October with the segment posting deliveries of 1398 units, up 17.7 percent, or 210 trucks, on October 2017. The year-to-date result is better with the segment tracking a very healthy 24.4 per cent ahead of this time last year. In terms of actual truck numbers, the sales gap now sits at 2309 more heavy trucks sold year-to-date than to the end of October 2017.

The medium-duty truck segment remains the second strongest growth segment in 2018, after that of heavy trucks. October was another solid month for medium-duty sales, up 10.6 per cent, or 69 units, more than the same month last year.

A total of 721 medium-duty trucks were sold in October. Year-to-date the tally continues to build on 2017 volumes, with 6807 trucks delivered to the end of October 2018 compared to ,901 medium trucks this time last year – a solid increase of 15.4 per cent.

Light-duty truck sales were the star performer in October: it was the only segment where the monthly sales percentage was better than that of sales year to date. In October 1234 light trucks were delivered, up 18.1 per cent (189 trucks) compared to the same month last year.

To the end of October 10,788 small trucks have been sold year-to-date, representing an increase of 1290 sales (up 13.6 per cent for the year).

Light-duty van sales have been the weakest-performing commercial vehicle segment in 2018, with year-to-date sales only 4.5 per cent ahead of this time last year. October 2018 sales were significantly down on those recorded for the same month in 2017, at 18.5 per cent less for the month. That was 97 fewer vans sold in October just past, compared with October 2017.

The Chief Executive Officer of TIC, Tony McMullan said the industry's sales progress was tracking well.

"It was great to see strong light-duty truck sales in October, while the heavy and medium sectors continue to perform solidly," he said.

"Van sales were weak in October, but they continue to perform slightly above 2017 sales on a year-to-date basis.

"Although we are witnessing a slowing of sales in most segments in the past three or four months, the overall results for 2018 remain strong.

"With just two months remaining in the year we are inching ever closer to a new all-time sales record for heavy vehicle sales in Australia. We may even crack that elusive goal of more than 40,000 new truck sales in a calendar year."

Solid sales continue for October

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