HD Truck Sales Down in First Half of 2013

According to automotive market research firm Desrosiers, heavy duty truck sales underperformed analysts’ expectations during the first half of 2013, falling 12.1 percent relative to the same period in 2012.

Sales of Class 8 trucks (defined as anything above 33000 lb (14969 kg ) but usually dump trucks and tractor trailers) are often leading indicators of general economic health; slowdowns in the vehicle purchasing schedules of construction and logistics companies foretell reduced demand in cornerstone sectors like housing and retail (among others).

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Statistics show that between January and June of this year, a total of 13,724 Class 8 trucks were sold in Canada, down from 15,613 during 1H 2012. The United States had a similar decline, where sales of such vehicles dropped by 13.5 percent during the same period.

HD truck sales were not expected to decline until the phase-in period for new U.S.-led emissions regulations begins in 2014, so the present declines have occasioned widespread uncertainty among industry watchers.