Medium and heavy trucks sold at a considerably slower pace in July, according to figures compiled by Wards Communications.
Dealers sold 54,090 trucks with GVW ratings above 10,000 pounds during the month, down 12% from July 2005.
Class 8 trucks led the way with an increase of 6% when compared with July 2005 sales. Class 7 (3%) was the only other class to show a gain.
Through the first seven months of 2006, truck dealers sold 403,358 trucks with GVW ratings above 10,000 pounds, up 5% from the corresponding period of 2005.
Slow sales of light-duty trucks (GVW ratings of 10,000 pounds or less) pulled the overall market down. Retail sales of Class 2 trucks were down 41% from July 2005, contributing to the overall 28% decline. For the year, Class 2 sales were down 18% from a year earlier.