Medium and heavy truck sales were down 39% in April over the same period a year ago and down 11% over the previous month, according to figures compiled by Wards Communications.
Dealers sold 25,189 trucks with GVW ratings above 10,000 pounds during the month, down from April 2008 (41,623) and down from March 2009 (28,311).
Compared with April 2008, Class 8 trucks were down 44%. Class 7 experienced a 43% decline.
Through the first four months of 2009, truck dealers sold 98,008 trucks with GVW ratings above 10,000 pounds, down 38% from the corresponding period of 2008.
Sales of light-duty trucks (GVW ratings of 10,000 pounds or less) were even weaker in April versus a year ago, with Class 4 down 53% and Class 2 down 34%. For the year, total sales were down 38%.