Medium and heavy truck sales were up 18% in April over the same period a year ago and down 13% from last month, according to figures compiled by Wards Communications.
Dealers sold 45,048 trucks with GVW ratings above 10,000 pounds during the month, up from April 2011 (38,116) and down from March 2012 (51,734).
Compared with April 2011, Class 8 trucks were up 39% (16,905, compared to 12,173). Class 7 sales were 4,257, up 29% from the 3,294 sold.
For the year, truck dealers have sold 178,359 trucks with GVW ratings above 10,000 pounds, up 26% from 142,078 in 2010. Class 8 sales have been 63,750, a 44% increase from the same period last year (44,131). Class 7 sales have been up 18% (15,942, compared to 13,544). Total sales of all classes have been up 6%, from 2,185,032 to 2,324,430.
Every class has been up, except for Class 4 (down 15%). The biggest increase has been in Class 5 (26%).