Truck sales surge in May

Sales of trucks and commercial vehicles grew last month, with major gains posted in most industry segments

The Australian truck and commercial vehicle industry experienced significant sales growth in May, according to the latest T-Mark data from the Truck Industry Council (TIC).

Overall

Some 3237 new registrations were recorded for the month, the figure representing strong growth of 14.5 per cent compared to the same month last year, while year to date a total of 12,912 vehicles have been registered, equating with solid growth of 6.5%.

In the overall year-to-date figures it's traditional market leader Isuzu showing the way, its 3239 sales some 7.3% up on this time last year. Next comes Hino with 1716 units (up 6.6%), followed by Fuso (1375 units, down 0.7%), Kenworth (674 units, down 5.5%) and Volvo (594 units, up 8.2%).

Heavy-duty

The heavy-duty segment has really struggled in recent years, but the latest data shows the segment could well have reached a turning point. A total of 1014 heavy-duty trucks were registered in May, which is up by an impressive 25.5% on the same month last year.

The year-to-date figures for the segment are also significant, with the 3880 units sold to the end of May up 12.2% on the corresponding period last year.

In the heavy-duty segment it's Kenworth on top, although its 674 sales year to date still equate with a drop of 5.5%. Second-placed Volvo, however, continues to gain on the segment leader, with 579 units sold year to date also delivering growth of 5.7%.

Rounding out the podium is Isuzu with 440 units (up 1.9%), followed by Mack (353 units, up 20.5%) and Scania (318 units – up an incredible 91.6%).

An honourable mention must also be made for Mercedes-Benz. It has sold 250 units to the end of May, which represents growth of 56.3%.

Medium-duty

Growth was more modest in the medium-duty segment, where the 637 units sold in May equates with an increase of 3.4% over May 2016, and the year-to-date figure of 2579 units represents growth of 1.6%.

Isuzu leads the way with a year-to-date tally of 1082 vehicles (up 1.3%), followed by Hino (793 units, up 9.4%), Fuso (369 units, down 4.4%), UD Trucks (210 units, down 6.7%) and Iveco (36 units, down 35.7%).

Light-duty

The light-duty segment is still purring along, with increasing urbanisation and the projected growth in e-commerce and last-mile delivery all pointing to a healthy future for some time to come.

A total of 1071 light-duty trucks were sold in May, the figure up 18.9% on the same month last year, while 4218 units have been sold year to date – that's growth of 7.7% over the previous corresponding period.

Isuzu leads the segment with year-to-date sales of 1717 units (up 13.0%), followed by Fuso (860 units, up 3.5%), Hino (804 units, up 2.8%), Iveco (284 units, up 30.3%) and Mercedes-Benz (226 units, up 37.8%).

Light-duty van

After several years of strong growth the light-duty van segment has cooled off to an extent, with sales in May of 515 units representing a modest gain of 2.4% over May 2016. The year-to-date sales essentially held steady, with the 2235 units sold equating with minimal growth of 0.1%.

Traditional market leader Mercedes-Benz has sold 787 units year to date (down 2.5%), but French maker Renault is closing in. It's sold 703 units to the end of May, which equates with growth of 9.2%.

That leaves Ford trailing in third (251 units, down 5.6%), followed by Volkswagen (206 units, down 3.3%) and Fiat (171 units, down 14.1%).

Summing up

President of TIC, Phil Taylor, said the month gave cause for metered optimism.

"May was a strong month for heavy vehicle sales with all segments posting gains over May 2016," he said.

"It is pleasing to see the heavy-duty segment continuing to lead new truck sales growth in 2017, with light-duty truck sales also continuing their strong start to the year. Next month, June, is typically a strong month for truck sales as we reach the end of our financial year, so the signs are all positive that we will reach the halfway point of 2017 with the best sales post the Global Financial Crisis. This should set the scene for a positive outcome by year end."

Tony McMullan, CEO of TIC, was also upbeat.

"Sales to the end of May continue to be the strongest that we have seen for almost a decade; it is particularly pleasing to see heavy-duty truck sales remain strong over the first five months of the year," he said.

"This is probably a good indicator that business confidence is growing in the road freight sector as companies become willing to unlock the purse strings and invest in updating their truck fleets. The indicators are there for a solid 2017 result."

Truck sales surge in May

Tags