Truck sales strong in third quarter

Oct. 14, 2011
Sales of commercial trucks were up sharply as dealers began the final three months of 2011, according to figures compiled by Ward's Automotive Group, a division of Penton Media Inc

Sales of commercial trucks were up sharply as dealers began the final three months of 2011, according to figures compiled by Ward's Automotive Group, a division of Penton Media Inc.

Retail sales of trucks with gross vehicle weight ratings above 10,000 pounds were running 32% ahead of last year’s pace. Through the first nine months of 2011, truck dealers sold 356,333 Class 3-8 trucks, compared with 270,665 during the same period of 2010.

Class 8 trucks posted the biggest gains. Truck dealers sold 115,975 units during the first three quarters of 2011, up 50%. Class 5 and 6 models were also selling extremely well through the first nine months of 2011, up 46% and 41%, respectively.

Class 4 trucks were the only segment down for the year. Customers bought 8,220 units through September, down 18% from a year earlier.