Truck sales slide rolls on

A total of 2616 new commercial vehicles were registered in the month of August according the latest Truck Industry Council (TIC) TMARK data, which represents a fall of 20.7 per cent over the same month last year.

The figure contributes to a year-to-date tally of 21,955 new vehicles registered so far in 2020, which is down 13.5% on the same time last year.

That is obviously a fair contraction in new vehicle sales, although perhaps not so dire given the unprecedented economic turmoil wrought on Australia by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Delving a little deeper, however, reveals the worst of the pain has occurred in the heavy-duty truck segment. The 821 heavy-duty trucks registered last month equate with a drop of 16.7% over August 2020, for a year-to-date figure of 6522. That's a contraction over the same period last year of 22.8%.

In comparison, 484 new vehicles were added to the medium-duty truck segment last month (down 24.8% over the same month last year), but its year-to-date tally of 4319 vehicles represents a somewhat more modest contraction of 14.5%.

The light-duty segment also had a difficult August, with 849 new vehicles registered – a drop of 17.5% over August 2019. But its year-to-date total of 7093 new trucks is only 6.4% down over the previous corresponding period.

Even the light-duty van segment, which has weathered the storm better than most through this turbulent year, experienced a 27.6% drop in new vehicle registrations for August, with a total of 462 units. That adds to a year-to-date tally of 4021 vehicles, which is 6.6% down on the same time last year.

Related reading:
Truck sales: June rebound eases COVID impact
COVID-19: Euro truck sales hit hard
Truck sales soften in March

Here's a quick breakdown of the five best-selling brands year-to-date across the major categories…

1. Isuzu – 5466 (-7.1%)
2. Hino – 3406 (-6.3%)
3. Fuso – 2197 (-4.9%)
4. Volvo – 1229 (-16.9%)
5. Kenworth – 1121 (-25.8%)

Total for August: 2616 (-20.7%)
Total YTD: 21,955 (-13.5%)

1. Kenworth – 1121 (-25.8%)
2. Volvo – 1173 (-19.5%)
3. Isuzu – 845 (-15.6%)
4. Scania – 548 (-25.9%)
5. Mercedes-Benz – 530 (-24.8%)

Total for August: 821 (-16.7%)
Total YTD: 6522 (-22.8%)

1. Isuzu – 1745 (-12.6%)
2. Hino – 1466 (-6.3%)
3. Fuso – 696 (-2.2%)
4. MAN – 159 (-64.7%)
5. IVECO – 86 (+14.7%)

Total for August: 484 (-24.8%)
Total YTD: 4319 (-14.5%)

1. Isuzu – 2856 (-0.3%)
2. Hino – 1629 (-3.6%)
3. Fuso – 1276 (+0.2%)
4. IVECO – 522 (-16.5%)
5. FIAT – 311 (-11.1%)

Total for August: 849 (-17.5%)
Total YTD: 7093 (-6.4%)

1. Mercedes-Benz – 1482 (-20.9%)
2. Volkswagen – 749 (+41.1%)
3. Renault – 720 (-6.3%)
4. Ford – 686 (+12.5%)
5. IVECO – 462 (-10.6%)

Total for August: 462 (-27.6%)
Total YTD: 4021 (-6.6%)

"The August result continues the trend that has been building over the past few months, though the declining sales in the medium truck and light truck and van sectors appear to be accelerating," said Tony McMullan, CEO of Truck Industry Council.

"Economic conditions in Australia continue to worsen with our economy now in a technical recession for the first time in 29 years, due entirely to the COVID-19 pandemic. There is also no doubt that August heavy vehicle sales have been directly impacted by the worsening COVID situation in Victoria in July and August.

"With signs that conditions in Victoria are improving, we hope to see truck and van sales recover a little in September and October, over the August result lows. I am pleased to see that for the first time in a number of months that the heavy truck segment, though still noticeably down, outperformed the other heavy vehicle sectors.

"Australia faces a long road ahead, however I have no doubt that the truck industry will continue to provide the essential road freight services required during these difficult times. The Truck Industry Council and our members will continue to play our part in keeping those wheels turning."