Canada’s Big-Truck Market Continues Hot Streak in October

Canada’s big-truck sales climbed 29.2% in October to 2,763 units, marking the seventh straight month of year-over-year increases.

Class 8 sales continued to fuel the streak, soaring 49.5% last month, compared with year-ago’s 1,920 units, according to Ward’s data. Segment leader PACCAR Inc. built more momentum in the month, with sales increasing 23.7% to 487 units.

Related document: Canada Truck Sales by Weight Class - October 2010

However, Daimler Trucks North America LLC posted the biggest gain in the segment, as deliveries nearly doubled over like-2009 to 718 units. Volvo Trucks North America witnessed a surge in demand, as well, with deliveries also nearly doubling to 306 units.

Every truck maker and brand in the Class 8 segment saw sales rise in October, compared with prior-year, and through the first 10 months were ahead like-2009 by 39.2% to 15,355 sales.

Medium-duty sales fell 1.2% to 843 deliveries, but stayed ahead of the segment’s 6.2% decline to 8,080 units through October.

Class 7 sales experienced the steepest fall last month, plunging 18.5% to 234 units.

Daimler posted one of the segment’s only gains in October, as sales jumped to 60 units over a modest 12 deliveries year-ago. Its Freightliner brand takes credit for the increase.

Hino Motor Mfg. U.S.A. Inc. nearly matched year-ago’s total, delivering 27 units last month, compared with 26 in like-2009.

Class 6 sales improved 28.5% to 193 units in October, and Class 5 gained 8.2% to 299. Class 4 sales fell 16.2% to 117.

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