Heavy-duty truck sales up in U.S., down in Canada

U.S. sales of medium- and heavy-duty trucks in November rose 31.1% on a daily basis from year-ago, reaching 36,141 units, according to WardsAuto data. This follows two months of year-over-year declines and a high accumulation of inventory.

According to the report, Class 8 deliveries jumped 25.1% on sales of 19,228 units vs. 16,706 year-ago. Freightliner’s sales soared 75.9% to 9,208 units, giving the brand a 47.9% share of the group, a record high. Freightliner’s gain made up for losses by smaller-volume makers International (-12.9%), Peterbilt (-24.5%) and Mack (-6.2%). A 25.1% increase by Volvo Truck made the brand the only one except Freightliner to not lose share.

Unlike in the states, Canada’s big-truck sales were down 1.7% in November, WardsAuto reports. Combined medium- and heavy-duty deliveries through 11 months rose 4.1% on volume of 40,324 units, against 38,738 in like-2014.

Class 8 deliveries slipped 1.5%, even though group leader Freightliner posted a 26.1% gain. PACCAR’s Kenworth and Peterbilt brands reported losses of 28% and 31.2%, respectively. International also suffered a double-digit decline, falling 36%. The greatest year-over-year growth came from Mack, up 77.9% to a 10.3% share. Year-to-date heavy-truck sales stood at 27,253 units, 3.3% ahead of year-ago.

WardsAuto, American Trucker's sister publication, has more.