Medium and heavy truck sales were down 5% in March over the same period a year ago and up 21% from the previous month, according to figures compiled by Wards Communications.
Dealers sold 62,631 trucks with GVW ratings above 10,000 pounds during the month, down from March 2016 (65,740) and up from February 2017 (51,834).
Compared with March 2016, Class 8 trucks were down 26% (14,793, compared to 20,034). Class 7 sales were 4,940, down 4% from 5,126.
For the year, truck dealers have sold 161,654 trucks with GVW ratings above 10,000 pounds, down 3% from 166,538 in 2016. Class 8 sales have been 36,937, a 29% decrease from the same period last year (51,859). Class 7 sales have been down 5% (12,969, compared to 13,661).
Total sales of all classes have been up 6%, from 2,472,743 to 2,615,239.
In addition to Class 7-8, Class 5 is down 8%. The biggest increase has been in Class 3 (18%).