The truck market has softened a little more as we head to the end of year, although in any other year but the one following a record, it would be seen as a success.
So far this year there have been 34,712 trucks sold, with 3080 being delivered in November across all sectors. That being the case the annual tally is likely to be close to the previous record year of 2007 with a figure in the high 37,000s likely.
The Truck Industry Council’s statements, as usual talk the market down a little, when many industry pundits are saying the peak body should be talking up the need for renewal of the national truck fleet.
The big battleground a the moment is heavy duty with a ding-dong battle between perennial market leader Kenworth being closely stalked by Volvo.
After a couple of months of close margins Kenworth has edged ahead to consolidate its top spot. Kenworth sold 211 trucks in November while rival Volvo registered 196 and heading to the annual finish line it carries a 60 truck lead on its Swedish rival.
It would take a miracle or a poultice of creative registrations for Volvo to finish in front for 2019. Kenworth sits on a tally of 2,133 to Volvo’s 2,063.
While some volumes are down Volvo’s registrations are up on 2018 numbers, with the big Swede already 66 trucks ahead of its score for last year.
Scania has had a tremendous year off the back of its supply issues in 2018. Scania has already moved 1044 trucks to the end of November, the first time it has exceeded 1000 sales in Australia.
Medium duty sales have stalled in recent months after showing positive signs early in the year. November sales in the sector totalled 584, 126 trucks behind November 2018.
After an October scare Isuzu has clearly fought back against rival Hino. Isuzu finished October just one truck ahead of Hino but in November it moved 250 trucks to Hino’s 173 units, giving Isuzu a clear lead year to date, yet again. Hino however is actually ahead of its volume tally for 2018 and will better its numbers for last year, despite the falling market.
Light-duty was again well off its 2018 numbers, with 946 trucks sold in November, 207 units behind the November 2018 figures.
Isuzu was comfortably market leader in light duty with 340 regos, 104 units ahead of Hino, more than 100 ahead of Hino.
The 2020 sales year is shapoing as an interesting battle ground particularly with Freightliner’s new contender the Cascadia arriving early in the New Year.
