Medium and heavy truck sales were down 32% in March over the same period a year ago and up 32% over the previous month, according to figures compiled by Wards Communications.
Dealers sold 28,311 trucks with GVW ratings above 10,000 pounds during the month, down from March 2008 (41,462) and up from February 2009 (21,448).
Compared with March 2008, Class 8 trucks were down 21%. Class 7 experienced a 23% decline.
Through the first three months of 2009, truck dealers sold 72,819 trucks with GVW ratings above 10,000 pounds, down 38% from the corresponding period of 2008.
Sales of light-duty trucks (GVW ratings of 10,000 pounds or less) were even weaker in March versus a year ago, with Class 4 down 51% and Class 2 down 47%. For the year, total sales were down 40%.