A typically slow year for new Australian heavy vehicle sales is still on track to be the third best on record.
This is according to data of sales compiled for trucks and vans with a GVM above 3,500kg by the Truck Industry Council for the period ending November.
Total heavy vehicle sales for the previous month finished at 3,810 new deliveries a decrease of 11.9 per cent (-512 vehicles), over November last year, a percentage reduction very much in line with sales for the year.
Following year-on-year record sales in 2022, 2023 and 2024, the new heavy truck and van market has cooled somewhat in 2025, tracking down 12.0 per cent, a solid result according to the TIC given the weak Australian economy in 2025.
“[This year] has thus far seen a reduction in new truck sales when compared to the two preceding, record breaking, years,” said Tony McMullan, TIC Chief Executive Officer.
“There have been multiple factors that have worked against sales in 2025, the most influential is no doubt the general economic conditions across most business sectors in Australia, that have remained weak throughout the year.
“Another contributing factor is the Australian Design Rule (ADR) change from ADR80/03 (Euro V) to ADR80/04 (Euro VI), that happened in quarter four this year.”
The Heavy Duty truck segment continues to experience the greatest year-on-year slowdown of all of the four heavy vehicle sectors, having been hit the hardest by slowing sales all year long.
November was a better month for the Heavy Duty segment with 1,243 trucks delivered, down 144 trucks over the 1,387 trucks sold in November 2024.
That was a 10.4 per cent reduction for the month.
Overall the Heavy segment trails last year’s results by a greater amount, 18.4 per cent. In vehicle numbers that is 2,739 less Heavy units sold, than to the end of November in 2024.
The Medium Duty truck segment has been the second hardest hit sector in 2025 and this trend continued at pace in November.
Only 464 Medium trucks were delivered for the month, a significant decline of 34.0 per cent (-239 trucks) over November 2024 sales.
Year-to-date the Medium Duty truck sector is performing better, with sales lagging behind those of the same period last year by 16.2 per cent (-1,199 trucks). This is primarily due to poor sales in quarters three and four this year.
The Light Duty truck segment was the only sector in positive territory in November, with sales up slightly when compared with November 2024 and remains the least effected by the sales downturn of all the heavy vehicle segments in 2025.
Some 1,263 Light Duty trucks were sold for the month, eight more little trucks than for the same month last year. That was a 0.6 per cent improvement over the 2024 November result.
Year-to-date the Light truck segment is down 6.5 per cent at the end of November. In terms of sales numbers, that was 13,395 LD truck sales in 2024 to the end of November, compared with 12,529 Light Duty Truck sales thus far in 2025, a deficit of 866 trucks.
Sales in the Light Duty van segment continue to struggle in 2025 and the month of November saw another poor result, when compared to sales in November 2024 with 840 vans sold in November 2025.
It represents a significant decrease of 137 vans (-14.0 per cent) over the 977 sold in November 2024.
Year-to-date the Light Duty van segment is fairing a little better, trailing 2024 sales by 8.0 per cent. In terms of sales that is 839 less vans. A total of 9,670 vans have been delivered thus far in 2025, compared with 10,509 van sales to the end of November 2024.
McMullan said a number of truck manufacturers had struggled with supply chain issues in recent months as a result of the latest ADR change.
“This has affected the supply of some truck models,” he said.
“However, despite these challenges, the market remains on track for around 45,000 new truck and van sales in 2025. Sales over 44,379 would result in 2025 being the third best ever sales result recorded for the heavy vehicle market in Australia.”
In other news, Garry Willis Transport has deployed a roadtrain compatible Kenworth T610SAR on its long haul services.
.png){kind=small}
.png){kind=small}
