Class 8 Decline Continues as Suppliers Feel Effects
The plunge in heavy truck sales continued in October, with total sales of 14,440 down 37.1% from the 22,945 sold in October 1999. The 10-month sales total of 184,497 was down 14.8% from the 216,461 sold in the first 10 months of 1999.
If October sales totals are replicated in the final two months of the year, the year-end total of more than 213,000 would represent the second best year ever for heavy-duty truck sales. In 1998, the year that currently ranks second best for heavy-duty truck sales, 209,483 units were sold. However, if the levels of the past two months were projected over a full year, the total for 2000 would be under 175,000.
However, the drop in sales was presaged by a drop in orders that came to light in late 1999, when Volvo Trucks North America announced production cuts because of falling orders and a perceived glut in used trucks.
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Sales had been falling all year compared to the record year of 1999, when about 260,000 Class 8 trucks were sold. But September was the first month to show a steep drop, with sales more than 38% below the total for September 1999.
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