A big month of deliveries has seen Kenworth open up a 190-unit lead over closest rival Volvo in the heavy-duty sales race in 2024.
According to the latest numbers released by peak body, the Truck Industry Council (TIC), Kenworth handed over 327 sets of keys in August, which represents 25 per cent of all heavies sold in the month.
Volvo was next best on 188 for August, just four clear of Isuzu on 184.
Overall, that leaves Kenworth on a year-to-date (YTD) tally of 2321, Volvo on 2131 and Isuzu on 1599.
Scania, which notched another encouraging month with 126 on the TIC chart, now has a lock on fourth spot with 1033, good enough for a YTD 9.1 per cent market share.
TIC reports that overall sales are slowing in 2024, but they would be after such a whirlwind, record-breaking first quarter.
In total, 1308 heavies changed hands in August, down 7.8 per cent, or 111 trucks on the same month in 2023. But YTD, the sector is still up 0.6 per cent.
It’s a similar story in the medium-duty sector which ended the month with 657 sales, down 5.2 percent (-36 units) over August 2023.
But consistent sales for much of the first half of 2024 has seen the segment stay ahead of 2023 sales YTD.
Overall, numbers are up year-on-year, but slightly distorted by the inclusion of two new van brands – LDV Deliver 9 and Peugeot Boxer.
“The inclusion of the LDV and Peugeot brands in T-Mark at last, is great news, however it can be seen from the results above, it does complicate comparisons of 2024 verses 2023 sales,” said TIC CEO Tony McMullan.
“Looking at the numbers holistically, heavy vehicle sales this year are tracking comfortably above those of 2023. However, in reality sales are only level pegging those of last year.
“Heavy and medium truck sales remain solid, however light-duty truck sales continue to slow noticeably over 2023 results.”
McMullan said TIC will continue to closely monitor sales across all the heavy vehicle segments for the remainder of 2024 and keep industry and government updated on the results and trends.