Early TIC figures on trail of record annual result
The monthly commercial vehicle sales effort to put the last decade behind it has fallen just short for February.
The 2018 total was 3,001, 16 units down on February 2008, according to Truck Industry Council (TIC) T-Mark Report figures.
The traditional jump from a quiet January to a February warming to the task was in evidence again, with the latter at 784 units up, and 725 up on February last year, presaging well for an expected all-time annual record tilt.
Isuzu’s February all-segments total of 712 was 68 up on 2008 and 91 up on last February, while Hino fell short of 2008’s 471 by 44 along with Fuso, short 13 from that year.
In the heavy-duty segment, the big move has been Isuzu’s, its 154 shunting Volvo (136) into third place for the month and giving Kenworth, on 176, something to think about.
That said, Volvo was still up32 units on the previous February and just short of twice January’s 74.
With all the infrastructure construction happening, observers could be forgiven for sensing earth-moving demand behind Mack’s 23 unit jump from January and 21 units up on the previous February.
Mercedes-Benz was unable to sustain January’s hot start, falling from 78 to 69 but the latter figure looks fine against last February’s 23.
But there should be smiles in Dandenong, with Iveco at 75, up on January’s 43 and last February’s 21.
The medium-duty segment is trying hard but seems destined to underplay the pre-GFC 2008 total of 689. But with February reaching 589, it’s its best recent performance and first time in the 500s for quite a while.
The outstanding performance here is MAN’s at 81; the last time it was in February double figures was in 2015 at 10 and it is having a hot start to the year given January’s 83.
Isuzu is in something of a holding pattern at 193 units.
The Japanese make’s lead is undisputed in the light-duty segment but, again, its recent growth is somewhat becalmed at five units below last February.
The segment’s total of 936 puts previous years in the shade and is a good 128 units up on last February.
Both Hino and Fuso are pushing on, with 207 and 181 36 and 31 units respectively up on last year.