WHILE general economic conditions may be tough, the Australian new truck market remains buoyant, with September showing signs of growth, based on year-on-year sales, with the chance of a new sales record still a possibility.
Data from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) showed Gross Domestic Product (GDP) fell from 2.1% in September 2023, to 1.0% in June 2024, the latest available data from the RBA, signalling an overall slowing of economic growth.
Employment growth also slowed over a similar period, down from 3.1% (September 2023) to 2.7% (August 2024), although there was a slight increase in wages growth from 4.0% (September 2023) to 4.1% in June 2024.
The good news for the majority of brands was an increase year-on-year in September deliveries, although some manufacturers did fall behind their 2023 results.
Overall, Isuzu retained its crown as Australia's favourite truck brand, capturing more than 24% of the overall market with 1097 units.
The top three remain firmly Japanese, with Hino (407) and Fuso (286) claiming the other podium places, although celebrations may have been muted, with all three companies down on their year-to-date results from 2023.
Isuzu retained a healthy lead, with 9,880 units, down from last year's 10,351, with Hino (3,759/4,371) and Fuso (2,814/3,747) also recording a decrease on their 2023 figure.
Another to show a decrease in their 2024 result was Volvo, who eased slightly from 2,576 in 2023, down to 2,479 in the year-to-date results.
Reversing this trend is Kenworth, with the Bayswater-based manufacturer enjoying healthy deliveries throughout 2024, totalling 2,703 to September 30, up from 2,564 in 2023, also securing fourth overall, and leadership of the heavy truck segment.
Continuing the topsy-turvy results, sixth placed Mercedes-Benz Trucks was another to grow year-on-year, finishing on 173 for September and 1,426 for the year-to-date, compared to 156/1,161 in 2023.
Iveco, with 173 deliveries for the month and 1,388 for the year was another to show an increase, while the 'other' Swedish brand, Scania, encapsulated the sales results perfectly, experiencing a fall in monthly unit sales, down from 131 in 2023 to 113 in 2024, despite growing their year-to-date figures from 953 in 2023 to 1,146 this year.
With future orders a closely-guarded secret, the final quarter of 2024 promises to be exciting, as the industry forges toward a new record, while individual manufacturers battle for brand supremacy.
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