Medium and heavy truck sales were down 44% in February over the same period a year ago and down 7% over the previous month, according to figures compiled by Wards Communications.
Dealers sold 21,448 trucks with GVW ratings above 10,000 pounds during the month, down from February 2008 (38,500) and down from January 2009 (23,062).
Compared with February 2008, Class 8 trucks were down 39%. All classes were down at least 20%, with Class 6 experiencing a 51% decline and Class 7 a 20% decline.
Through the first two months of 2009, truck dealers sold 44,510 trucks with GVW ratings above 10,000 pounds, down 41% from the corresponding period of 2008.
Sales of light-duty trucks (GVW ratings of 10,000 pounds or less) were even weaker in February versus a year ago, with Class 2 down 55% and Class 3 down 49%. For the year, total sales were down 40%.