Medium and heavy truck sales were down 37% in May 2009 over the same period a year ago and down 5% over the previous month, according to figures compiled by Wards Communications.
Dealers sold 23,998 trucks with GVW ratings above 10,000 pounds during the month, down from May 2008 (38,365) and down from April 2009 (25,189).
Compared with May 2008, Class 8 trucks were down 39%. Class 7 experienced a 41% decline.
Through the first five months of 2009, truck dealers sold 122,006 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 May versus a year ago, with Class 4 down 50% and Class 1 down 27%. For the year, total sales were down 36%.