Class 8 Sales Beat '98 Records

Class 8 trucks sales maintained a torrid pace through the first four months of 1999 -- more than 27% better than the mark reached at this point during 1998's record-setting run.

April showed no letup in the bullish market for big trucks. Sales were reported at 24,332, a 31.9% improvement over the 18,448 sold a year earlier, according to figures from Ward's Communication, an analyst in Southfield, Mich.

So far this year, manufacturers have sold 80,916 Class 8 vehicles.

At the current rate, 1999 sales would break 240,000, well beyond last year's all-time high of 209,483.

However, not everyone is so optimistic about the outlook for keeping up such sales growth.

"Christmas used to only come once a year. Now, it comes every month," said Stuart S. MacKay, a consultant and president of MacKay & Company.

MacKay said he is advising his clients to be cautious about the robust truck market, telling them "to be alert to the possibility of a softening in demand later in the year."

Truck sales have been running at high levels for most of the past two years, fueling rosy predictions among manufacturers. Companies attribute their booming business not only an increase in freight, but also to shorter replacement cycles and the need to retain drivers by providing them with modern vehicles.

For the full story, see the May 17 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.