Truck sales build in June

A total of 15,140 new trucks and vans were registered in the first half of 2015, with the figures surging in June in the lead-up to the end of the financial year.

The total represents growth of 5.4 per cent over the previous year's corresponding tally, with the year-to-date totals up for the medium-duty (+1.7%), light-duty (+14.4%) and van (+29.9) segments, but down in the heavy-duty segment (-9.8%).

The latest figures from the Truck Industry Council show 3447 new trucks and vans were registered last month, that figure up 13.9 per cent from June last year and up 28.2% from the previous month.

The overall trend of recent months continues, with surging sales at the lighter end of the market, including vans, off-setting falling sales in the heavy-duty segment. In the middle, the medium-duty market is remaining largely static.

OVERALL
In the overall figures, Isuzu's 26 years as Australia's top-selling brand continues, its 3337 registrations this year delivering growth of 2.2% over this time last year and an outright market share of 22% (-0.7%).

Second-placed Hino has been clawing back ground on the leader, however, with its 2136 registrations representing growth of 14.6% and seeing its market share increase to 14.1% (+1.1%).

Rounding out the podium is fellow Japanese rival Fuso with 1522 registrations – a 6.0% increase on last year, despite its market share dropping slightly to 10.3% (-0.1%).

Aussie manufacturer Kenworth has registered 968 trucks over the first half of 2015, the 3.4% drop on last year coming amid a drop in outright market share from 7.0% to 6.4%, while arch Euro rival Volvo registered 686 trucks. That's growth of 5.1%, while its outright market share remained steady at 4.5%.

HEAVY DUTY
Some 1071 new trucks were registered in the heavy-duty segment in June 2015, representing growth of 3.8% on the same month last year and 35.1% on the previous month. However, the 4642 units registered year-to-date paint a less rosy picture – that's 9.8% down on this time last year, as the effects of the transition from the mining boom continue to be felt.

Kenworth's 968 year-to-date registrations see its heavy-duty dominance continue, even if the figure is down 3.4% from the previous corresponding period. Its vice-like grip on the heavy-duty market continues, however, with a 20.9% market share – that's up 1.4% from last year's figure.

Volvo is on a charge, its 683 new registrations equating with growth of 4.9%, while its heavy-duty market share has increased to 14.7% (+2.1%).

Third in year-to-date sales is Isuzu, with 563 registrations. That's growth of 7.2% year-on-year, while its heavy-duty market share has climbed to 12.1% (+2.1%).

Sales haven't been quite so fruitful for sibling Volvo Group brand Mack, its 413 year-to-date registrations seeing it slip into fourth place. The tally equates with a contraction of 15.2%, while its market share has slipped back to 8.9% (-0.6%).

Penske-distributed brand Western Star is sitting in fifth in the heavy-duty segment, its 311 year-to-date registrations down 17.3% on this time last year, its market share dropping back to 6.7% (-0.6%).

MEDIUM DUTY
A total of 657 new medium-duty trucks were registered in June 2015, which is 3.0% down on the same month's tally last year. Year to date a total of 3067 new medium-duty trucks have been registered, which is marginally up (+1.7%) on last year's figure.

Isuzu leads the medium-duty pack with 1206 new registrations year to date, the figure slightly down (-1.8%) on last year. Its market share has dropped too, down from 40.7% to 39.3%.

That's due in part from the strong performance of Hino, which has been charging hard this year. A total of 906 new medium-duty Hinos were registered in the first half of 2015, which represents growth of 10.9%. Its market share has increased too, from 27.1% to 29.5%.

Third is Fuso, with 505 units, the figure down 4.7% from last year. Its market share has dropped this year, down from 17.6% to 16.5%.

Next comes UD Trucks, which has made solid gains through 2015. The 272 new medium-duty trucks it registered this year spells growth of 13.3%, while market share has increased from 8.0% last year to 8.9% this year.

That leaves Iveco in fifth with 69 new medium-duty registrations year to date – impressive growth of 38.0% and an increase in market share from 1.7% to 2.2%.

LIGHT DUTY
The light-duty truck market continues to power ahead, the 1047 new registrations for the segment in June representing growth of 29.4% over June 2014, and the year-to-date tally of 4574 units representing growth of 14.4%.

Isuzu leads the segment with 1568 registrations, the figure up 3.7% from this time last year. Its market share, however, has taken a knock – it's now pegged at 34.3%, which is a drop of 3.5% from last year.

Again, that's partly due to a strong showing from Hino. The company's 1086 new registrations for the segment in the first half of 2015 translate to growth of 24.1%, while its market share has climbed from 21.9% to 23.7%.

Fuso lies in third with 900 year-to-date registrations, which also indicates strong growth (+16.3%). Its market share has increased slightly from 19.4% to 19.7%.

Mercedes-Benz is on a flyer in the light-duty class with 342 new year-to-date registrations – strong growth of 48.7% – while its market share has increased from 5.8% to 7.5%.

Rounding out the top five is Iveco. Its new registrations for the class essentially held steady (281 units versus 282 this time last year), while its market share dropped from 7.1% to 6.1%.

VANS
Like light-duty trucks, the light-duty vans segment continues to perform strongly. Some 672 new vans were registered in the van segment in June 2015 – that's growth of 32.3% over June last year, while the year-to-date tally of 2857 units is 29.9% up from the previous corresponding period.

Mercedes-Benz continues its dominance with 1251 new registrations year to date, which equates with growth of 19.0%. Despite that growth its market share has actually fallen, from 47.8% this time last year to 43.8% now.

Renault's momentum continues; it registered 630 new vans to the end of June to record 50.7% growth, its market share moving up from 19.0% to 22.1%.

Ford too has made major gains, the 424 units registered year to date giving growth of 86.8%. Its market share has jumped from 10.3% to 14.8%, as the market responds favourably to its Transit Custom and new heavy Transit models.

Fiat has held steady with its 302 year-to-date registrations, although its market share has dropped from 13.7% to 10.6%, while Volkswagen has managed 176 registrations – that's growth of 19.7%, while its market share has dropped from 6.7% to 6.2%.

"It is encouraging to see a good result in June and overall year-to date sales for 2015," he said.

"However, as we have seen so far this year, this result is brought about by some very good light-duty truck and light-duty van sales, while heavy-duty truck sales continue to lag those of recent years.

"Heavy-duty truck sales showed a slight recovery in June and I can only hope that this is the turning point for better sales at the top end of the market for the rest of 2015. However, I still remain concerned that there appears to be a general lack of business confidence in the Australian market at present and it appears that companies are continuing to delay their big-dollar fleet replacement plans."

See the tables below for the full new registrations breakdown...

JUNE 2015 YEAR-TO-DATE REGISTRATIONS (OVERALL)

JUNE 2015 YEAR-TO-DATE REGISTRATIONS (HEAVY DUTY)

JUNE 2015 YEAR-TO-DATE REGISTRATIONS (LIGHT DUTY)