Wider sales of Freightliner, Sterling and other Class 6 and 7 truck and bus chassis in the construction, distribution, utility, and specialized hauling segments helped Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) secure the top slot in terms of U.S. medium-duty market share for 2007. However, that gain may be short-lived as OEMs continue to buy and merge product lines.
According to Ward’s AutoInfoBank, DTNA sold 40,410 Class 6 & 7 units in the U.S. last year to grab 32.5% of the market, supplanting International Truck & Engine Corp. (the market share leader in 2006), which sold 37,943 Class 6 & 7 units to garner a 30.5% share.
Overall, medium-duty sales declined 22.7% between 2006 and 2007, with total annual sales falling from 160,821 to 124,213 units, according to Ward’s.
“DTNA has continued its trend of steady growth in Class 6/7 sales, and we’re excited that we have consistently increased our market share,” Chris Patterson, DTNA president & CEO, said in a statement. “We attribute this growth to our … product offerings, … commitment to customers, and our focus on developing new technologies that benefit our customer's bottom line.”
But that top ranking may be short lived – in part due to International’s plan to buy General Motor’s medium-duty product line, which was announced late last year. GM sold 9,847 Class 6 and 7 trucks in 2007, according to Ward’s. With that number added to International’s total, International’s market share would rise to 38.5%-- returning it to the top market share spot.
