Year-to-date a total of 8817 trucks and vans have been delivered in Australia, up 492 units (or 5.9 per cent) over this time last year.

The figure also eclipses the previous all-time sales record set in the first quarter of 2018 when 8675 trucks were sold in January through to March, an increase over that quarter’s result of 142 vehicles or a 1.6 per cent increase. 

Truck Industry Council CEO Tony McMullan said sales in each of the truck segments were ahead of those at this time last year.

“This is pleasing to witness. I am happy to see that the Heavy Duty segment continues to lead the market’s sales growth at the end of March,” he said.

“This level of sales growth across all truck segments will likely stem the ageing of our truck fleet, however more needs to be done to ensure that the significant level of safety, environmental and productivity features available in newer trucks permeates through our nation’s fleet.

“In this regard the federal government’s inaction in implementing ADR80/04, Euro VI and alternatives, is disappointing.” 

Looking just at the month of March 2022 in isolation, 3797 heavy vehicles were delivered to customers, an increase of 239 trucks (6.7 per cent) over March 2021.

The leader of the record result has been at the Heavy end of the market, with both Heavy and Medium Duty sectors showing strong growth – up 23.6 per cent and 12.9 per cent respectively – at the end of the first quarter. 

Over the same period Light Duty truck sales are up by 8.4 per cent, however Van sales are significantly down this year, at the end of quarter one, 35.7 per cent lower than this time in 2021.

The TIC reported that the Heavy Duty Truck segment was up again in March with a total of 1245 units delivered, up a very healthy 20.3 per cent, or 210 trucks, compared with March 2021. 

The first quarter result was even better, with 3012 Heavy sales year-to-date. That was a 575 increase over the first quarter of 2021.  

The Medium Duty segment posted solid sales again in March with a total of 686 trucks delivered, up 14.0 per cent, or 84 units, over March 2021. 

The TIC said that to the end of the first quarter a total of 1651 Medium Duty trucks have been delivered, up by 12.9 per cent (189 trucks) over 2021 first quarter sales.

Light Duty truck sales (those trucks with a GVM between 3500 kg and 8000 kg) have been performing well for the past couple of years and sales in 2022 remain solid. 

March saw sales in the Light Duty segment total 1428 units, up 16.0 per cent (197 trucks) over March 2021.  At the end of the first quarter of 2022, Light Duty sales are ahead of the same period last year by 8.4 per cent, up 248 truck sales.

The TIC said Light Duty Van sales (vans with a GVM between 3500 kg and 8000 kg) have been a strong performer over the past few years “however the bubble has burst thus far in 2022.”

“Van sales in 2022 continue to take a hit, most likely due to supply chain and shipping issues out of Europe, the source region for all Light Duty Vans reported by the TIC,” it said.

The segment posted poor sales in March with a total of just 438 units, down 36.5 per cent, or 252 vans, when compared with March 2021.  

The first quarter tally stands little better, down 35.7 per cent (or 520 vans) over quarter one 2021. 

The TIC said van OEMs will be hoping for better sales for the remainder of 2022.

By Neil Dowling