The sale of medium and heavy trucks slowed to a 2% growth rate in June 2006, down from 4% the month before, according to Wards Communications.
Dealers sold 61,584 trucks with GVW ratings above 10,000 pounds during the month, versus 60,155 in June 2005.
Class 6 trucks had a 21% gain when compared with June 2005 sales. Class 7 (11%) and Class 8 (6%) trucks were the only others to increase 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 same 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.