Latest TIC figures show a positive August for sales but 2016 continues to fall short of 2015
Despite a downward trend in the heavy-duty year-on-year numbers, the news is positive out of the sales yards in August with the latest Truck Industry Council (TIC) sales figures showing month-on-month growth across all truck segments.
The TIC numbers highlight a positive month for the light-, medium-, and heavy-duty truck segments, with each increasing its unit sales on July by 83, 87, and 71, respectively.
The leaders, like July, were the light- and medium-duty trucks, which pushed both segments to year-to-date highs compared to those recorded in 2015.
For the light-duty segment, the figure of 939 units sold is 17 per cent higher than the same month last year.
Across the year to date, the light-duty market is 615 units or 9.9 per cent ahead of 2015.
The medium-duty numbers, at 633 units, were also a positive result, rising 3.4 per cent compared to last August.
The strong figures across most of 2016 have seen the section besting 2015 so far. The medium-duty numbers sit 265 units or 6.2 per cent up in the year-to-date analysis.
Despite the heavy-duty market jumping a little on July, the year-on-year numbers continue to demonstrate a worrying trend.
While only slipping one per cent behind the numbers from August, 2015, the year-to-date numbers have the segment currently sitting at 216 units (3.4 per cent) behind last year and, more alarmingly, 741 units (10.8 per cent) behind 2014.
These poor performances have the eye of the TIC, with president Phil Taylor confirming it “remains a concern for all TIC Members.”
However, Taylor says overall it “was pleasing to see that sales in most segments rebounded in August after slow July sales.”
Sentiment reiterated by TIC CEO Tony McMullan.
“It was back to business in August with all segments performing along the trend lines we have seen year-to-date in 2016,” McMullan says.
“However Light Van and Heavy Duty Truck sales continue to lag the results seen in 2015.”
This lag has McMullan considering the greater impact of an aging fleet.
“Of course I remain concerned about the continuing poor sales at the heavy end of the market, because I am only too aware of the negative effects that an aging heavy truck fleet will have on our country’s future road transport productivity, coupled with less than ideal environmental, health and safety outcomes,” he says.
VANS
In the light-duty van market, it appears the gloss is beginning to lose its shine. After two record years in 2014 and 2015, this year is experiencing a few slow months.
August saw a 12.6 per cent drop compared to the same month last year and the year-to-date numbers are 99 units behind 2015.
However 410 vans were sold in the month, just 16 behind last month.
“Van sales took a bit of a hit in August, but year-to-date sales are only a couple of per cent away from the all-time record set last year for this segment.” Taylor says.