Commercial vehicles’ six month total tops last year’s by 537 units
The total of 15,677 commercial vehicle units sold so far this calendar year is significantly higher than last year’s 15,140 at the same time and more than 600 over 2013 and 2010, the other years they passed the 15,000 mark this decade.
And, at 3,556 for the month, sales were higher than any for the decade bar 2010’s 3,627, Truck Industry Council (TIC) T-Mark figures show.
The heavy-duty sales, however, sank deeper into the doldrums at 4,511, more than 500 units below the decade peak of 5,085 in 2012.
At 1,054, June this year continues the month’s struggle over the past three years to break back above the 1,100 mark.
The silver lining being that it was the best monthly total this year and saw HD market leader Kenworth into the 200s strongly at 221.
Volvo had its best month for the year and was tied on 147 with Isuzu.
The biggest riser relatively, however, was Mercedes Benz, at 69 from 28 and having languished in the 20s this year until now.
Medium-duty sales were also up strongly, from 616 in May to 805, with Isuzu bounding to 362 from 268 and marking a six month in succession of rises.
Hino was also up a pleasing 38 units to 218, as was Fuso, entering three-figure territory for first time at 127, from 91.
Year-on-year total MD numbers, at 805 were the best June this decade and for the year to date were the third best for the decade.
This June was a decade record for a June at 1,103, the previous best being 2010’s 1,103 and a year-to-date record, at 5,018, beating 2010’s 4,621 into second place.
As expected, Isuzu is the head and shoulders above its competitors here, at 436 and significantly higher than Hino at 232.
Worryingly for competitors, at 39.5 per cent of market share, Isuzu has equalled its second-best figure for the decade, below only 2012’s 43.1 per cent.
Vans totals are on the boil, too, with market leader Mercedes Benz having breached the 200 mark at 227 for the first time this year.
Its year-on-year total, 1,034 was less hot than last year’s 1,251 and the year before’s 1,051.
Renault was still second with 119, a fallen from May’s 157 but above April’s 84.