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THETRUCKER.COM
EQUIPMENT & TECH
OCTOBER 2022 • 17
Upward trend
U.S. SALES OF NEW CLASS 8 TRUCKS CONTINUE TO STRENGTHEN – FOR NOW
CLIFF ABBOTT | SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
The U.S. Class 8 new truck market surged
to its highest point of the year in August
with manufacturers reporting sales of 23,581
units, according to data received from Wards
Intelligence. Only once in the last five years
has the month of August seen more sales —
in 2018, when 23,913 trucks were sold. That
2018 month was also the best August of the
still young 21st century.
Compared to July, truck sales rose by 15%,
or 3,068 units. August 2021 sales were 18,176
units, meaning that sales in August this year
rose by 29.7%. One simple factor in the increase
could be the number of build days,
Monday through Friday, that fall in a given
month. In July there were 21; in August, 23.
But two additional days can’t account for the
entire increase.
It would seem manufacturers have found
solutions to the supply chain issues that have
plagued production since the COVID-19 pandemic
began. There are still some worries
that inflation, international conflict, potential
recession or even the possible U.S. freight
railway strike could interrupt supply chains,
but for now, the assembly lines are rolling at
truck manufacturers.
A large factor in the sales totals was an
incredible month for Freightliner, which reported
sales of 9,783 trucks in August — an
increase of 1,928, or 24.5%, over July sales of
7,855. Compared to August of last year, the
increase was 3,137 trucks, an increase of
47.2% over August 2021 sales of 6,646.
That impressive feat gave the manufacturer
its best month since the turn of the century
— and likely its best ever. Freightliner
sold 41.5% of the new Class 8 trucks sold on
the U.S. market in August, up from its 2022
average of 38.2%.
Western Star, the other Daimler-owned
truck manufacturer in the U.S., also had a
good August — but on a much smaller scale.
The OEM sold 604 Class 8 trucks in the
month, up 9.4% from July sales of 552. Compared
with the 509 trucks in August 2021,
sales at Western Star rose 18.7% on a yearover-year
basis.
International reported sales of 2,749 in
August, up 23.3% from the 2,229 sold in July.
Compared with August 2021, however, sales
dropped by 118 units, or 4.1%.
Volvo reported selling 2,243 trucks in
August, up 5.7% from July’s 2,123 — and up
a whopping 88% compared to August 2021
sales of 1,193. Volvo finished 2021 with 8.7%
of the U.S. market for new Class 8 trucks.
This year, that percentage has increased to
11%, even as the whole market has grown.
For the year to date, Volvo has reported
sales of 17,245, an increase of 35.5% over
sales at the same point of 2021. That’s the
largest increase by percentage of any of the
OEMs.
Volvo sibling Mack did better on a monthto-month
basis. August sales of 1,594 topped
July sales of 1,295 by 23.1%. Compared with
August 2021, when 1,495 trucks were sold,
Courtesy: Daimler Truck North America
Compared to July, August sales of new Class 8 trucks in the U.S. rose by 15%, surging to its highest point of the
year with manufacturers reporting sales of 23,581 units. Leading the pack, Freightliner was responsible for 41.5%
of the trucks sold during the month.
sales increased by 6.6%. However, Mack’s
6.5% share of the U.S. Class 8 market lags behind
the 7.9% it enjoyed at the same point of
2021.
Peterbilt was the only manufacturer with
August sales declining from July numbers.
The OEM sold 3,298 in August, down 2.8%
from 3,392 the prior month. Compared with
August of 2021, when 2,605 Petes were sold,
sales increased by 693 units, or 26.6%.
Kenworth ended August with sales of
3,310, up 7.9% from July’s 3,067. Compared
with August 2021, sales increased by 15.7%.
For the year to date, Kenworth sales are up
15.7% compared with Peterbilt’s 26.6% increase.
Each OEM has a market share this
year of 14%, down from last year’s share at
the same point.
The waiting list for new trucks is still long,
and order cancellations have been rare. As
long as the parts continue to flow to the assembly
lines, sales should remain robust. 8
Courtesy: Peterbilt
Peterbilt has announced the launch of the limited-release Model 389X, which can be ordered as a day cab or in a
72-inch or 78-inch sleeper configuration. Production will be limited to only 1,389 units.
Peterbilt announces launch of limitedproduction,
special edition Model 389X
THE TRUCKER NEWS STAFF
DENTON, Texas — Peterbilt has launched its
limited-release Model 389X. According to Peterbilt
officials, the 389X “embodies the heritage of
the Model 389 with its bold styling and bright exterior
features.”
The 389X includes a polished hood crown surrounding
a classic-style louvered grille sheet inspired
by the first 1939 Peterbilt. The hood features
a polished centerline trim, exclusive sidehood
chrome accents and polished hood fenders.
Other eye-catching features include cowl
skirts, battery box, fuel tanks, sun visor, bumper
and large, 7-inch chrome exhaust stacks.
The 389X also offers a new exterior lighting
package, with LED amber color light strips that
provide lighting in the air cleaners and under
the rocker panels. In addition, the truck features
389X exterior badging on the mud flaps as well as
on the cab or sleeper.
In the cab, the dash panels feature a new black
pearl burl woodgrain, and black-finish trim accents
can be found throughout the cab and
sleeper.
Additional special features include bright
chrome grab handles, a 389X emblem on the
shifter plate, embroidered 389X badging on
the headrests and badging on the sleeper
backwall. Each 389X includes a serialized,
chrome dash plate with the production number
of the truck to commemorate each special
edition vehicle, as well as a kit of custom 389X
merchandise.
“The new 389X is superior in every detail,”
said Robert Woodall, assistant general manager
of sales and marketing for Peterbilt. “From
its classic design and high-quality craftsmanship
to its exclusive chrome elements and details
both inside and out, the 389X will quickly
become the most desirable truck on the road.
I look forward to seeing this great truck and
its proud owners on road across North America
very soon.”
The Model 389X can be ordered as a day cab
or in a 72-inch or 78-inch sleeper configuration.
The 389X production will be limited to only
1,389 trucks and is available for order now
through Peterbilt dealerships. 8