U.S. Sales of Medium- and Heavy-Duty Trucks Surge in August

U.S. sales of medium- and heavy-duty trucks surged in August, up a healthy 27.0% on a daily rate basis as all segments reported solid gains, WardsAuto data shows

Volume totaled 35,264 units, up from 28,804 year-ago, and pushed year-to-date 2014 sales to 258,309 vehicles, 14.4% ahead of like-2013’s 225,739.

Heavy-duty demand soared 33.1% in the month to 19,627 units, from 15,288 in August 2013, marking the highest August tally since the record year of 2006. All manufacturers enjoyed double-digit gains as class leader Daimler deliveries rose 37.8% to 7,397. Its Freightliner brand enjoyed a 36.4% spike, while sales of its Western Star make was up 69.8%. Other Class 8 truck makers posting  positive results were International, up 31% followed by Volvo Truck, up 32.4% and PACCAR, up 28.6%.

Through the first eight months, Class 8 sales totaled 138,210, up 18.7% from like-2013’s 116,468.

Medium-duty deliveries rose 20.0% in August to 15,637, compared with 13,516 year-ago. The performance left sales 9.9% ahead of like-2013 through the first eight months, with volume totaling 120,099 units.

Class 7 sales climbed 26.3% over year-ago on volume of 5,104, with all manufacturers posting gains except for Ford (-24.4%) and Hino (-28.0%). The segment was led by International, which jumped 112.1% and raised its share to 36.9%, nearly catching volume leader Freightliner.

Class 6 deliveries were up a more modest 6.2% on unit volume of 3,812 vs. 3,724 year-ago. The group was led by Hino, up 37.6%. Class leader Freightliner managed a 4.5% gain, but saw its share drop to 43.6% from 44.3% a year earlier. International and Kenworth both experienced a decline of 16.0%.

Overall Class 5 deliveries soared 26.5% on the strength of Freightliner, which led all manufacturers with a triple-digit increase of 716.7%, raising its share from 1.4% to 9.2% for the month. Class leader Ford posted a 13.3% bump in deliveries, but still saw its share decline to 60.8% from 67.9% a year earlier.

Class 4 sales rose 15.8% to 1,216 units on mixed results. Ford deliveries nearly doubled to 419 units, while Isuzu import models were up 20.9%. Mitsubishi Fuso fell 26.6% and Isuzu domestics were down 22.1%.

Class 8 inventory increased by more than 5,500 units to 41,062 from 35,548 year-ago, however, days’ supply fell to 56 in the current period from 65 in August 2013. Medium-duty truck makers ended August with 47,823 units in inventory, an 83-day supply. That compares with 38,548 and 80 days’ in like-2013.

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