New Class 8 Sales Surge 69.5%; Fleets Replace Trucks, Expand

U.S. customers bought 15,937 Class 8 trucks in September, a 69.5% jump compared with the same month last year, WardsAuto.com reported.

Truck dealers and analysts had mixed views on whether fleets were expanding their size or simply replacing older trucks.

Total Class 8 sales to date this year numbered 115,975, a 50.5% increase over the 77,082 sold in the first nine months of 2010, Ward’s reported Oct. 13. Entire-year sales in 2010 totaled 107,152 units.

“We have been seeing steady business, and we have taken in good orders, and some customers who delayed orders earlier are now recognizing that the price increases are at the point where they’re staying and will not go back down,” Eric Jorgensen, chief executive officer of JX Enterprises Inc., Pewaukee, Wis., a Peterbilt and Volvo dealer, told Transport Topics.

He said that JX Enterprises was taking orders for delivery both this year, when the accelerated depreciation allowance is scheduled to end, and into 2012.

“I would say that some of the new purchases have come from customers increasing the size of their fleets but not a staggering number,” Jorgensen said. “We’ve had some customers buying 10 trucks to replace nine and others adding 5% to 10%, which is actually quite a bit.”

He said that most of his customers in Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois and Indiana were small- and medium-size fleets.

“We’re seeing definite purchase increases from last year, alongthe lines that Ward’s has reported,” said Frank Ellett, president of Virginia Truck Center, a Freightliner and Mack dealer in Roanoke, Va.

“They’re making it a better year than last year, but not near to the record years before recession,” Ellett added. “We’re seeing replacement-only buying, getting a used truck traded in for just about every one that we’re selling.”

Ellett said most of his customers were medium-size fleets.

“We’re positive about truck sales for the rest of this year and have our fingers crossed that it will continue into next year,” he added.

Daimler Trucks North America sold the most heavy-duty trucks in September, 5,367 of its Freightliner brand and 304 Western Stars, Ward’s said.

Paccar Inc.’s two lines sold a combined 4,315 trucks in September, 2,216 by Peterbilt Motors Co. and 2,099 by Kenworth Truck Co., Ward’s reported.

Navistar Inc.’s International line sold 3,262 trucks in September.

The two Volvo AB lines sold 2,688 units, 1,772 by Volvo Trucks and 916 by Mack Trucks Inc.