Trucks with gross vehicle weight ratings in excess of 10,000 pounds were up 13% in November, according to figures compiled by Wards Communications. Dealers sold 51,393 medium and heavy trucks during the month, up from 50,724 sold during November 2004.
Class 3 trucks had the steepest increase, up 33% from November 2004. Class 3 and 7 trucks also were up 18%, followed by Class 8 at 17%.
Through the first 11 months of 2005, dealers sold 600,166 medium and heavy trucks, up 26%. Class 3 trucks led the way with a 67% increase. Others posting strong gains were Class 5 (up 30%), Class 8 (up 27%), and Class 7 (up 21%) through the first 11 months of 2005.
Slow sales of light-duty trucks (GVW ratings of 10,000 pounds or less) pulled the overall market down. Retail sales of Class 1 and 2 trucks were down 6% and 16%, respectively, from November 2004. For the year, Class 1 sales were 5,968,374, up 2% from a year earlier. The 2,530,936 Class 2 trucks sold during the first 11 months of 2005 were off 9% from the corresponding period of 2004.