The sale of medium and heavy trucks slowed to a 2% growth rate in June -- down from 4% the month before, according to figures compiled by Wards Communications.
Dealers sold 61,584 trucks with GVW ratings above 10,000 pounds during the month, as opposed to 60,155 in June 2005.
Class 6 trucks led the way with an increase of 21% when compared with June 2005 sales. Class 7 (11%) and Class 8 (6%) trucks were the only others to experience a gain in sales.
Overall truck sales were down 18% from the same month a year ago (828,485, from 1,013,783).
Through the first six months of 2006, truck dealers sold 349,268 trucks with GVW ratings above 10,000 pounds, up 8% from the corresponding period of 2005.
Slow sales of light-duty trucks (GVW ratings of 10,000 pounds or less) pulled the overall market down 18% for the month and 5% for the year. Retail sales of Class 2 trucks were down 28% from June 2005. For the year, Class 2 sales were down 12% from a year earlier.