May truck sales show steady rise

The latest Truck Industry Council (TIC) T-Mark truck sales are in for May, with the Australian market nearly surpassing 4,000 truck sales for the month.

Last month saw 3,921 truck sales made, up from April’s total of 3,416. However, it’s down year on year from the 4,528 units delivered in May last year, as well as the March figures this year of 4,125 sales.

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Total trucks

A total of 3,921 trucks were sold in all segments in May, with Isuzu continuing to dominate after once again reaching four figures. It’s recent new model line-up unveiling has clearly paid dividends for its existing range, with 1,135 sales being made for the brand in May. Hino was the next best with 358 sales made in May, while Fuso finished third with 321. Kenworth remained a perennial threat with the 280 monthly sales, while Volvo rounded out the top five with 182 and IVECO proved to be the only other brand to reach three figures with 101 sales in May. Both Mercedes-Benz (95) and Scania (91) were close behind, while Fiat (70) stayed comfortably ahead of a pack that included DAF (61), UD Trucks (52) and Mack (49).

Heavy duty

It was a relatively steady month for the heavy duty truck sales sector, that just surpassed April’s 1,110 sales with 1,172 units in May. Kenworth remained at the top of the tree in the market, recording 280 monthly sales, while Isuzu (186) narrowly beat Volvo (178) to claim second place. From there, Scania (91) kept its nose ahead of Fuso (88) while Hino (61) did the same with both Mercedes-Benz and DAF (60 apiece). Mack (49) sat around the half-century mark, while UD Trucks (44) finished in front of a final pack that included the likes of IVECO (21), Dennis Eagle (17) and MAN (16).

Medium duty

It was a narrowly better month for the medium duty market in May, passing April’s total of 600 sales with 670 in May. Isuzu continued to dominate with over half the market share featuring the iconic badge as it finished with 337 monthly sales. Hino also had a strong month, improving on its April efforts to record 231 sales in the sector. Fuso was the next best with 67, while the rest of the market (including Hyundai with nine, IVECO and UD Trucks with eight and Volvo with four) couldn’t breach double digits.

Light duty

While it was no grand return to form for the light duty market in May, it still managed to build on April’s result of 872 sales with 1,090 in May. Isuzu was, by no surprise, the easy leader in the sector as it wrapped up monthly sales with a total of 612 units. Fuso was a clear second with 166 sales, while IVECO (72) fought off Fiat (70) and Hino (66) to claim third. Renault (37) and Mercedes-Benz (32) remained in a tight tussle, while Hyundai (20) and LDV (10) were the only other brands to reach double figures.

Vans

A slightly improved May saw 989 sales made for the month in the van sector, building on both the April and March efforts from this year. Mercedes-Benz was the driving force of this rise as it finished with 365 monthly sales, comfortably surpassing the second placed LDV (238). Ford came third with 158 units, while Renault also reached triple figures with 121 sales. Fiat (56), Volkswagen (31), IVECO (18) and Peugeot (two) finished the market and represented a steady rise for vehicle sales in Australia for May.