The TIC is the owner and compiler of the official T-Mark truck market database which compiles all trucks (that is, non-passenger carrying vehicles with Gross Vehicle Mass above 3500 kg) sold into the Australian market that comply with Australian Design Rules. All road registered vehicles are captured, plus most of the off-road vehicles. Monthly data reports are made available to TIC members and the media.
Despite a series of natural disasters affecting Australia and abroad, the TIC revealed that total T-Mark truck market in March 2011 total T-Mark truck market* was just 5.0% lower than it was in March 2010, recording 2528 sales as opposed to 2,660 units in 2010.
The truck market in 2011 saw a slow start. In February 2011, T-Mark truck sales figures were 16% lower than at the same time last year.
The first quarter saw 5796 units sold, 13.5% less than in the same period during 2010, and just under 30% less than the peak figures recorded in 2008 of 8267 (pre-Global Financial Crisis).
Heavy duty trucks was the best performing segment during this quarter, selling 799 units for March, a 6% increase on March 2010 figures. This segment finished only two units shy of the first quarter results for heavy vehicles in 2010.
The light duty van (above 3500kg GVM) segment also recorded a good March result, with an 8.6% increase on last year’s figures. For the quarter however, figures for this segment were down by 15.5% compared with last year.
Results for the medium duty segment are over 20% less than for the first quarter in 2010. Light Duty trucks (those between 3500 kg and 8000 kg GVM) have also seen a decline, down 18.6% for the quarter, but showing some signs of recovery with March down by just 9%.
Despite these results, TIC President Phil Taylor has remained positive for truck sales during the remainder of 2011, with March indicating a strong level of new truck orders written.
“We expect to see much improved truck sales over the winter and spring periods, as regions recover from disasters and the economy slowly picks up. There is no doubt, however, that the market and the Australian economy are both a little fragile, and we could do with some stability over the coming months,” Mr Taylor said.
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