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THETRUCKER.COM
EQUIPMENT & TECH
OCTOBER 2023 • 19
Up and down
SALES OF NEW CLASS 8 TRUCKS STRONG, USED TRUCK PRICES DECLINING
CLIFF ABBOTT | SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
August was another strong sales month for new Class 8
tractors on the U.S. market, according to data received from
Wards Intelligence. Manufacturers reported sales of 23,342
trucks during the month, up 11% from July sales of 21,021.
Compared with sales in August 2022, however, U.S. Class 8
sales declined by 239 units (1%). It was the first month of 2023
that did not exceed sales in the same month of 2022. Rather
than reflecting any 2023 slowdown, this is a sign of the strength
of the market.
Freightliner reported sales of 8,158, an increase of 7.2% over
July sales of 7,610 but a 16.6% decline from August 2022 sales of
9,783. Freightliner is responsible for 38.1% of U.S. Class 8 sales
for the year to date, down from 38.4% at the same time last
year.
The next largest share of the Class 8 market goes to International
with 14.3%. The company reported sales of 3,587 in August,
up 18% from July sales of 3,039 — and a whopping 30.5%
higher than August 2022 sales of 2,749. For the year to date, International
Class 8 sales are up 39.9%. International has gained
an additional 2.5% of the market since the same point of 2022.
Kenworth sales of 3,689 represented an increase of 21.9%
over July sales of 3,026 and an 11.5% increase over August 2022
sales of 3,310. The company’s share of the U.S. Class 8 market
stands at 14.1%
Peterbilt reported 3,458 Class 8 trucks sold in August, up
4% from 3,325 sold in July and up 4.9% from 3,298 sold in August
of last year. Peterbilt’s market share is 14.2% for the year
to date.
Volvo’s reported sales of 2,130 in August topped July sales of
1,944 by 9.6% but were 5% behind August 2022 sales of 2,243.
For the year to date, Volvo has sold 1.9% more Class 8 trucks
than at the same point in 2022, the smallest increase of any
manufacturer — and well below the 15.2% average growth for
the industry. Volvo’s share of the U.S. Class 8 market stands at
9.8%, a decline of 1.3% from last year.
Mack Truck’s reported sales of 1,598 was a 17% improvement
over the 1,366 sold in July and was a mere four trucks
(0.3%) higher than August 2022 sales. The company holds 6.6%
of the new Class 8 market, up a tenth of a point from the same
point last year.
Western Star reported 722 trucks sold in August, up 6%
from July’s 681 and up 19.5% from August 2022 sales of 604.
Western Star owns about 2.8% of Class 8 trucks sales this year,
Sales of new Class 8 trucks remained strong in August, with Freightliner holding the largest share of the U.S. market.
about the same as at the same point last year.
For the first time in 2023, Tesla did not report sales of any
Class 8 trucks.
Orders for new Class 8 trucks were estimated at 19,000, according
to a release from ACT Research. That number represents
the North America market rather than just the U.S. but
represents the biggest order number since February of this
year. The figure is also impacted by the time of year.
“As represented by seasonal factors, the industry remains at
that time of year when expectations for order activity are low,
as most of the current year’s orders have been booked and outyear
build plans are only starting to open,” explained Kenny
Vieth, ACT’s president and senior analyst.
August is typically the month when manufacturers change
their orders to the next model year. The backlog of orders already
placed will keep the assembly lines busy through the end
iStock Photo
of the year, and some customers are reluctant to order into
2024 until they know for sure what the economy and freight
markets will do.
Price increases for 2024 may also play a part in keeping orders
down. Most of the OEMs placed surcharges on the price of
2023 models in an attempt to recoup the rising costs of parts
and materials. While buyers hoped the surcharges would be
temporary, in most cases they have been rolled into next year’s
base price. As the new Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) standards that will go into effect in 2027 get closer, 2024
prices may seem like a bargain.
Used truck sales figures weren’t published at the time of
this writing, but inventories have been growing and average
pricing has been steadily declining as fleets take delivery of the
SEE SALES ON PAGE 21
Peterbilt celebrates production milestone of 100,000th truck
Courtesy: Peterbilt
Peterbilt’s 100,000th Model 389 was presented to Massey Motor Freight
on Sept. 7, 2023.
THE TRUCKER NEWS STAFF
DENTON, Texas — Peterbilt Motors’ Denton, Texas, plant
recently celebrated its 100,000th production milestone
truck, the Peterbilt Model 389. Introduced in 2006, the
milestone truck has the limited-released Model 389X special
edition package.
The truck was presented to Massey Motor Freight of
Nacogdoches, Texas. Troy Massey, company founder and
owner, attended the celebration to receive the truck on
behalf of his company.
“We are extremely pleased to present the 100,000th
Model 389 to Massey Motor Freight,” said Jason Skoog,
Peterbilt general manager and PACCAR vice president. “Troy
Massey is a longtime Peterbilt customer who recognizes the
craftsmanship, performance, and durability of the Model
389 and is the perfect customer to receive this milestone
truck.”
Founded in 2016 by Troy and Abby Massey, Massey
Motor Freight operates a total of 325 units along with Tri-
State Vacuum & Rental, also owned by the Masseys.
“It is a great honor to receive the 100,000th Model 389 and
celebrate this milestone with Peterbilt,” said Troy Massey.
“Massey Motor Freight’s long-standing relationship with
Peterbilt is based on the common values our companies
represent and our commitment to exceed customer
expectations.”
Peterbilt will end production of the milestone 389 model
later this year. Its successor, the Model 589, is available for
purchase through any Peterbilt dealer in North America.
Production of the new model will begin in January 2024 at
Peterbilt’s Denton factory. 8