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Truck sales reach record levels

Sales of new trucks in Australia have reached record levels for the first six months of 2008 reflecting a buoyant

Sales of new trucks in Australia have reached record levels for the first six months of 2008 reflecting a buoyant market across all sectors according to figures released by peak industry body for truck manufacturers, the Truck Industry Council (TIC).

Deliveries of new trucks have attained an all time high during the first half of 2008 with a total of 18,215 new trucks finding their way onto Australian roads, a 7 percent increase on the same period last year, despite slowing in other sectors of the economy.

New emission and noise standards for trucks introduced at the start of 2008 means the record sales have resulted in an influx of new greener, quieter and safer trucks onto our roads.

The biggest increase in sales came in the light-duty sector of the market, with a 19 percent increase in light-duty van sales and a 14 percent increase in light-duty truck sales.

A total of 5390 new light-duty trucks and 2230 light-duty vans made their way on to our roads in the six months to June 30.

Sales of heavy-duty trucks in the first half of 2008 totalled 5924 units up 1.8 percent, reflecting the strong demand particularly for freight haulage and in the mining industry.

Medium-duty sales of trucks also registered strong growth up by 2.3 percent on 2007 with 4649 new trucks sold to June 30.

According to TIC chief executive, Tony McMullan, the record sales come despite the combined pressures of increasing interest rates and fuel prices and reflects the increasing freight task across Australia.

“Truck sales have continued to climb on the back of demand for newer, more fuel efficient and greener trucks,” says McMullan.

He says freight movement, particularly in the urban areas, will continue to expand as new suburbs are developed, and consumer demand is still relatively strong.

“While there has been some weakening as a result of high interest rates and fuel costs demand has stayed high and businesses still need to move goods.

“Forecasts predict that the freight task in this country will double between 2000 and 2020, a factor that will continue to fuel strong demand for increasingly more efficient, safer and greener trucks,” he says.

“Urban road freight presents a number of challenges which TIC and all governments, Federal and State, will examine later this year at a symposium on the urban freight task to be held at Homebush Sydney Olympic Park October 21 and 22.”

McMullan pointed to changes in manufacturing and retail methods which have seen a shift to just-in-time delivery as a replacement for point of sale inventory as well as the increased differentiation of consumer taste, making retailing more transport intensive.

The record truck sales are also a great benefit to the community with 2008 models meeting the world’s best practice for exhaust emissions and noise, and fitted with increased safety equipment.

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