Halfway through 2005, retail sales of trucks suitable for commercial applications were up 30% from the first six months of 2004, according to figures compiled by Wards Communications.
During the first half of 2005, dealers sold 323,426 trucks with gross vehicle weight ratings higher than 10,000 pounds, compared with 248,000 during the corresponding period of 2004.
Sales were especially strong for Class 3 trucks (GVWRs of 10,001-14,000 pounds. The 78,862 Class 3 trucks sold during the first half topped year-earlier levels by 75%.
Class 7 (GVWRs of 26,001-33,000 pounds) and Class 8 (GVWRs above 33,000 pounds) also posted exceptionally strong sales—up 31% and 35% respectively for the first half.
Class 1 and 2 trucks (typically personal-use vehicles) were relatively flat. Class 1 trucks (GVWrs of 6,000 pounds or less) were up 5% during the first six months of 2005, while Class 2 trucks (6,001-10,000 pounds GVWR) were off 6%.