Truck Sales Climbing Out of Abyss

Aug. 13, 2009
Truck sales in seven of the eight classes were down by a smaller percentage in July than for the year to date, with Class 8’s being the same, according to figures compiled by Wards Communications

Truck sales in seven of the eight classes were down by a smaller percentage in July than for the year to date, with Class 8’s being the same, according to figures compiled by Wards Communications.

The biggest difference came in Class 6, with sales down 27% for July but 52% for the year.

Medium and heavy truck sales were down 29% in July over the same period a year ago and 7% over the previous month.

Dealers sold 23,414 trucks with GVW ratings above 10,000 pounds during the month, down from July 2008 (33,188) and from June 2009 (25,138). Year to date, sales were down 36%.

Compared with July 2008, Class 8 trucks were down 33%. Class 7 experienced an 18% decline.

Through the first seven months of 2009, truck dealers sold 17,536 trucks with GVW ratings above 10,000 pounds, down 33% from the corresponding period of 2008.

Sales of light-duty trucks (GVW ratings of 10,000 pounds or less) were weak in July versus a year ago, with Class 2 down 22% and Class 3 down 22%. But judged against June 2009, Class 1 was up 13% and Class 2 up 6%. For the year, total sales were down 32%.