The latest truck sales figures released by industry monitor ERG show new trucks are still rolling out of dealership doors
The latest truck sales figures released by industry monitor ERG show new trucks are still rolling out of dealership doors at a tremendous rate.
While perennial number one manufacturer Isuzu remains at the head of the sales leader board, arch-rival Hino is starting to gather momentum with its new products now available to the buying public.
More telling however is the total sales for the first quarter, when compared to the same period during 2007.
While many in the industry say they expect a slow down in unit sales, the new truck market has actually grown in comparison to the same time last year, with total sales of 8260 units this year, as against 7315 vehicles up until March 31, 2007.
The continued strong sales result prompted Isuzu marketing manager Jeff Birdseye to predict 2008 would actually break the record set in 2007, although he feels large truck sales could still fall short of 2007, with the difference coming from extra growth in the light and medium duty sectors.
In line with this comment, sales in the heavy truck sector dropped by 43 units compared to March 2007, although year-to-date sales are still higher for 2008, with 2827 large trucks sold, versus 2475 for the first three months of 2007.
While Kenworth remains the dominant player in this segment, the big mover is fellow American brand Western Star, with 104 sales in March and 323 for the year, compared to 84 and 227 for the corresponding periods of 2007.
By comparison, stable mates Volvo and Mack are struggling to match their record breaking 2007 performances, with 89 Volvos and 79 Macks sold during March 2008, against 110 and 112 respectively last year, while the year-to-date figures 2008 versus 2007 are 219/271 (Volvo) and 253/282 (Mack).
The Medium sector remains the domain of the Japanese manufacturers, with Isuzu (271) reversing the order from 2007 and claiming the number one place from Hino (255) for the month, while Mitsubishi Fuso remains third (121) from UD Trucks (76).
Iveco, Mercedes, DAF and MAN are still squabbling over the scraps in this sector, although encouragingly for the Europeans generally, their overall sales are stronger, except for Iveco, than the corresponding period in 2007.