The Covid-factor was in full effect last month with bumper sale figures for heavy-duty sector leaders Kenworth.
With operators racing to claim the instant asset write-off before the end-of-financial-year deadline, sales for the Bayswater badge boomed to 325 for the month.
That was 179 more units than the nearest challenger Volvo, which only bested third-place Mercedes Benz by seven trucks in June, 146 vs 139.
Scania finished fourth with 122 sales for the month, followed by the Japanese trio of Isuzu (118), Fuso (88), and Hino (79).
Figures from the Truck Industry Council (TIC) show that overall heavy-duty sales are tracking above the five-year average (2015-2019) and are up by more than 18 per cent on 2020 numbers.
But the TIC also said some brands continue to report supply chain shortages and this may be affecting production, both in Australia and overseas.
“Though this appears to be easing as we move through the halfway point of the year,” a spokesperson said.
“Japanese truck imports appear to be less affected by these supply chain issues.”
The most intriguing sales battle is in the medium-duty sector with Hino topping Isuzu in June with 293 sales vs 283, although the latter is still clear on the year-to-date tally, 1336 vs 1249.
The TIC said that the medium duty sector appears to be improving, though weaker than other segments.
“This weakness cannot be attributed to supply issues, as truck imports from Japan remain solid,” said a spokesperson.
“Weak sales in this segment indicate other market forces are at play and that Government Covid-19 financial incentives are not proving to be particularly effective in incentivising operators in this segment to purchase new medium duty trucks.”