Medium and heavy truck sales up 6%

Sept. 15, 2006
Medium and heavy trucks increased 6% in August over the same period a year ago, according to figures compiled by Wards Communications.

Medium and heavy trucks increased 6% in August over the same period a year ago, according to figures compiled by Wards Communications.

Dealers sold 62,417 trucks with GVW ratings above 10,000 pounds during the month, compared to 59,162 in August 2005.

Class 7 trucks led the way with an increase of 21% when compared with August 2005 sales, followed by Class 6 (15%) and Class 8 (5%).

Through the first eight months of 2006, truck dealers sold 465,932 trucks with GVW ratings above 10,000 pounds, up 5% 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. Retail sales of Class 1 trucks were down 3% from August 2005, contributing to the overall 2% decline. For the year, Class 1 sales were down 7% from a year earlier.