Truck sales gain ground in April

Sales of new commercial vehicles in Australia grew by 2.8 per cent for the month of April compared to the same month last year, with the year-to-date figure now up 5.5%, according to the latest TMARK data from Truck Industry Council (TIC).

The first month of the second quarter saw 3306 new vehicles sold, bringing the tally for the year so far to 12,123 units.

In the overall figures, traditional market leader Isuzu remains on top with 3382 units sold over the first four months of the year, which is up 19.8% on the previous corresponding period. Hino is next with 1989 units (up 7.7%), followed by Fuso with 1490 (up 19.9%), Kenworth with 863 (up 23.8%), and Volvo with 596 (up 36.7%).

The heavy-duty segment was up 11.5 per cent for the month (1036 units) and up 20.3% year to date (4048 units). Kenworth leads the charge with a total of 862 units year to date (up 23.7%), followed by Isuzu with 634 (up 66.8%), Volvo with 585 (up 39.3%), UD Trucks with 251 (up 94.6%), and Mack with 246 (up 47.3%).

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The medium-duty segment is also buoyant, being up 12.1% for the month (632 units) and up 12.7% for the year (2283 units). Isuzu leads in this category with 1017 units year to date (up 27.0%), followed by Hino with 730 (up 2.1%), Fuso with 401 (up 8.1%), UD Trucks with 41 (up 13.9%), and IVECO with 30 (down 26.8%).

Sales in the light-duty truck category also continue to build, with that segment up 9.4% for the month (with 1218 units) and up 8.6% for the year (with 4437 units). Here too Isuzu leads with 1731 units year to date (up 5.5%), followed by Hino with 1061 (up 11.1%), Fuso with 899 (up 23.0%), IVECO with 236 (up 4.4%), and Fiat with 193 (up 7.8%).

The light-duty van segment, however, for the most part continues to slide – this segment accounted for 420 units in April (down 31.0%) for a total of 1355 units year to date (down 34.3%). Mercedes-Benz remains on top with 572 units year to date (down 11.7%), followed by Renault with 283 (up 49.7%), Volkswagen with 192 (down 52.0%), Ford with 153 (down 73.7%), and Fiat with 82 (down 44.6%).

“It is encouraging to see another good result in April to follow the solid first-quarter figures,” said Tony McMullan, CEO of Truck Industry Council.

“It is particularly encouraging to see truck sales showing such continued strength, however van sales are down significantly year to date and are showing no immediate signs of improving.

“Whilst we are currently sitting on record sales growth in the truck segments and I hope that continues throughout 2022, I am mindful of government’s need to temper inflation. The recent interest rate rise by the Reserve Bank is a reminder that ongoing fiscal policy decisions may have some effect on new vehicle sales moving forward.”