Medium- and heavy-truck sales fell 39% in April over the same period a year ago and were down 11% over the previous month, according to figures compiled by Ward’s Communications.
Dealers sold 25,189 trucks with GVW ratings above 10,000 lbs during the month, down from April 2008 (41,623) and from March 2009 (28,311).
Compared with April 2008, Class 8 trucks were down 44% while Class 7 experienced a 43% decline.
Through the first four months of 2009, truck dealers sold 98,008 trucks with GVW ratings above 10,000 lbs, down 38% from the corresponding period of 2008.
Sales of light-duty trucks (GVW ratings of 10,000 lbs or less) were even weaker in April vs. a year ago, with Class 4 down 53% and Class 2 down 34%. For the year, total sales were down 38%.
