Truck sales hit a wall

The Australian truck market experienced a slight uptick across May, with a total of 3351 new trucks and vans delivered across the month, according to the latest T-Mark data from the Truck Industry Council (TIC).

Deliveries across May represent a solid 16.7 per cent lift over April’s 2871 deliveries, clawing back some ground after the sharp month-on-month dips experienced so far this year, bringing the year-to-date total to 15,354 heavy vehicle sales.

However, comparing this to last year’s performance, the running total sits 13.2 per cent lower than the 17,694 deliveries achieved over the same period in 2025. Monthly deliveries also lag behind the 3921 sales achieved in May last year, representing a 14.5 per cent year-on-year drop for the month.

This double-digit contraction aligns closely with the year-on-year declines tracking through the earlier months of the year, including January (11.5 per cent), February (12.9 per cent), March (11.2 per cent), and April (16 per cent).

The persistent market softening continues to stem from major commercial headwinds facing the transport industry as operators face financial constraints under an ongoing global oil crisis that has pushed Australian diesel prices to historic highs, compounded by broader economic tightening.

Isuzu maintained the top spot in the light- and medium-duty segments, leading by a considerable margin, while the heavy-duty sales ladder was topped again by Kenworth as Isuzu trail closely in second place. Overall, Isuzu maintains total market dominance with  a total 785 deliveries, which is more than twice that of its nearest threat Hino with 325 sales.

The heavy-duty segment recorded 1093 sales in May 2026, reflecting an 8.8 per cent lift over April’s 1005 deliveries as heavy fleet renewal activity showed signs of resilience.

Year-on-year, the category recorded a 6.7 per cent decline from the 1172 units delivered in May 2025, continuing to outperform the more severely impacted medium-duty and light-duty categories.

Kenworth maintained its commanding lead at the top of the heavy-duty ladder with 186 deliveries. However, the race behind the industry leader tightened significantly, as Isuzu surged into second place with 172 units, narrowly outpacing Volvo which claimed third with 160 sales.

Scania delivered another solid performance among the European brands with 88 sales, followed closely by Fuso (85), Mercedes-Benz (80), and DAF (79). Hino and UD Trucks locked in identical mid-pack results with 66 units each, with UD Trucks stabilising after a standout performance the previous month.

Mack rounded out the top ten with 41 deliveries, while MAN (21) and Freightliner (20) held a narrow lead over Iveco (17). Western Star registered 11 units, while Dennis Eagle logged a single sale, recovering slightly from its empty board in April.

Heavy-duty truck sales – May 2026:

Kenworth: 186
Isuzu: 172
Volvo: 160
Scania: 88
Fuso: 85
Mercedes-Benz: 80
DAF: 79
Hino: 66
UD Trucks: 66
Mack: 41
MAN: 21
Freightliner: 20
Iveco: 17
Western Star: 11
Dennis Eagle: 1

The medium-duty segment remains the most impacted sector of the truck market contraction, recording 413 sales in May 2026, up a modest 14.7 per cent on April’s 360 sales but down a staggering 38.4 per cent on the 670 units delivered in May last year.

This dramatic year-on-year drop reinforces the structural market shift that’s been taking place for a number of years, where transport operators increasingly bypass mid-sized trucks in favor of high-capacity heavy-duty options for linehaul or agile light-duty trucks for urban distribution.

Isuzu's dominance in this segment remains, with 239 deliveries accounting for more than 57 per cent of all medium-duty sales for the month of May. Fuso held second place with 67 units, while Hino followed closely in third with 64 deliveries.

A long distance behind, Iveco secured fourth with 12 units, followed by Hyundai (9), Mercedes-Benz (6), MAN (4), DAF (4), and Foton (4). Volvo managed 2 deliveries, while UD Trucks and Dennis Eagle each registered one sale.

Medium-duty truck sales – May 2026:

Isuzu: 239
Fuso: 67
Hino: 64
Iveco: 12
Hyundai: 9
Mercedes-Benz: 6
MAN: 4
DAF: 4
Foton: 4
Volvo: 2
UD Trucks: 1
Dennis Eagle: 1
Kenworth: 0
Foton Mobility: 0

The light-duty truck segment posted 900 deliveries in May 2026, creeping up slightly (1.4 per cent) from the 888 units recorded in April.

However, the result represents a 17.4 per cent decline compared to the 1090 units sold in May 2025, breaking the brief year-on-year growth streak observed in April and realigning the category with the broader market's downward trend.

Isuzu led the category with 374 deliveries, capturing a 41.6 per cent share of the segment, while Hino retained its second place result with 195 sales, and Fuso locked in third with 135 units. Fiat and Iveco performed competitively to complete the top five with 61 and 55 deliveries respectively, ahead of Mercedes-Benz (26) and LDV (25).

Further down the board, Hyundai recorded 11 units, followed by Renault (6), Ford (5), Foton Mobility (4), and Foton (3).

Light-duty truck sales – May 2026:

Isuzu: 374
Hino: 195
Fuso: 135
Fiat: 61
Iveco: 55
Mercedes-Benz: 26
LDV: 25
Hyundai: 11
Renault: 6
Ford: 5
Foton Mobility: 4
Foton: 3
Volkswagen: 0

The van segment (3.5-tonne GVM and above) delivered the most resilient performance of the month, posting 945 sales across May.

This represents a significant 52.9 per cent surge over April’s 618-unit result and a minor 4.4 per cent dip against the 989 units registered in May 2025, making it the closest category to flat-line stability in year-on-year terms.

Mercedes-Benz maintained its position at the top of the van ladder with 213 deliveries, continuing its recovery from earlier in the year. LDV put up a fierce fight just behind in second place with 209 sales, while Ford shifted 173 units to secure third.

Renault (140) and Volkswagen (108) both broke into triple-digit territory to secure fourth and fifth places respectively. Further down the ladder, Fiat recorded 65 deliveries and Iveco added 37 units, while Peugeot recorded zero sales for the month.

Light-duty van sales – May 2026:

Mercedes-Benz: 213
LDV: 209
Ford: 173
Renault: 140
Volkswagen: 108
Fiat: 65
Iveco: 37
Peugeot: 0

Related: Australian truck market slide steepens in April

Related: Truck sales rise in March

Related: Australian truck sales stabilise in February

Related: Australian truck sales ease in January as market continues to cool