ATN #418

STRONG CLAIMS FOR RECORD
TRUCK SALES TERRITORY
HALF-WAY MARK FOR 2021 THROWS DOWN GAUNTLET TO 2018 PEAK
NEWS Inside the Industry given 2018’s 121/560 more than a fright.
Commercial vehicle observers viewing the
bumper 2018 sales performance could
have been excused for thinking that was a
peak that would take a while to surmount.
But, if the trend revealed in Truck Industry
Council (TIC) T-Mark statistics says
anything, it is to confirm that record years
are now perhaps only three years apart.
June’s 4,741 units of all sizes make for a
first half of 19,920 and this compares with
2018’s 4,231 and 19,970.
That year ultimately saw a total of
41,628 vehicles sold, with the second half
accelerating to 21,658.
If the impetus behind this June’s
510-unit lead over June 2018 holds firm,
the record will be in peril.
Of the top-sellers, Isuzu gained 1,085
sales in June for a year to date (YTD) of
4,768. While that compares very favourably
indeed with 2018’s 1,059/4,719, the month
is a touch below last June’s 1,170, even if
the previous YTD was ‘only’ 4,052.
Hino is in rare air also, at 761/3,203,
compared with 2018’s 569/2,660 and last
year’s 752/2,588.
So, too, Fuso with 568/2,179 against
2018’s 414/2,028 and last year’s 450/1,577.
HEAVY-DUTY
While it might be noted that this June’s
heavy-duty totals, at 1,374/5,790, are
behind those of 2018’s 1,433/6,820 and will
struggle to surpass them in December, they
are still holding up very well.
They are in the ballpark of 2019’s
1,288/6,422 – a year where the second
half was marked by a general economic
slowdown – and better than last year’s
1,134/4,919.
In a sign of what might be underlying
bullishness, segment leader Kenworth’s
June was better than 2018’s with 325/1,203
versus 271/1,333.
Volvo’s doldrums continue, though it
retains second place at 147/781, below
2018’s 240/1,009 and last year’s 185/818.
This leaves it just ahead of a jostling
pack of three, last month led by
Mercedes-Benz at 139/596, which has
"Bulldog fanciers
will be unnerved by
Mack’s performance"
Scania is consolidating in the top five;
its 122/576 a solid lead over its 2018 of
101/455.
Meanwhile, Isuzu’s 118/630 is actually
not as strong as 2018’s 159/868, though
close to 2020’s 124/619.
Looking back at 2018 could be poignant
recently and historically for lovers of certain
high-profile makes.
Western Star’s tribulations are
well-known and its upgrade can’t come
fast enough, though die-hard fans kept
things steady. This June’s 42/162 is at
least comparable against 2018’s 35/182.
But bulldog fanciers will be unnerved
by Mack’s performance, with June’s
66/294 entirely underwhelming compared
with 2018’s 110/544 – usually a top five
performer, it was down to eighth last month.
Instead, unheralded makes are making a
play. Witness Fuso’s 88/280 against 2018’s
61/246 and Hino’s 79/316 against 66/283 –
DAF, too, with 61/239 against 47/207.
MEDIUM-DUTY
While 2018 was the signature year
for medium-duty truck sales, a
complicating matter is that 2020
was excellent and perhaps paved
Mercedes-Benz had a good June sales-wise
the way for this year’s healthy situation.
June comes in at 834/3,537, against
2018’s bumper 894/4,084 and last year’s
897/3,265.
Hino’s local representatives will cheer
its chart-topping month being another
highlight in its bid to unseat Isuzu in
this segment.
Hino’s 293/1,249 sees it trading punches
with Isuzu, at 286/1,336, in a fight more
even than in 2018, when Isuzu scored
391/1,601. But it is worth recalling that, this
time last year, Hino was at 334/1,104 to
Isuzu’s 348/1,320.
It’s quite a fight.
LIGHT-DUTY
Whatever happens elsewhere, Isuzu is
unassailable in the light-duty segment.
Hino is the challenger here as well and
has made inroads on occasion, such as last
month when it came within nine units of
winning the month: 241 to 249.
But, while Hino is nothing if not tenacious,
the weight division champion is that for a
reason, with June coming in at 681/2,802
against Hino’s 389/1,638.
Compare this with Isuzu’s 2018 figures of
508/2,250 and Hino’s 271/1,285, along with
Fuso’s 289/1,286 against 2018’s 226/1,182,
and the truck-sales impetus is obvious.
Of the segment totals, June saw
1,620/6,870 compared with 2018’s
1,304/6,021 and last year’s 1,583/5,255.
Another annual segment record looks
set to fall here.
96 ATN July 2021 FULLYLOADED.COM.AU