The new truck market was strong throughout 2012 and this continued into December, with many dealers around the traps reporting positive activity.
Lyndon Andrew from Hino in Auckland says that that December was a good month for the Japanese brand, “We had a good month; sales for new vehicles were healthy, but on the used side, sales were good but a lack of stock meant we couldn’t meet demand”. Andrew was especially pleased with sales of Hino’s light duty 300 series, and described overall 2012 sales for Hino as being ”acceptable” and “auguring well for 2013”.
Iveco’s Kerry Webb from the Wiri, Auckland sales floor worked through the Christmas break and found himself signing up customers and finalising deals on both Christmas and New Year’s Eve,“It was extremely busy” an enthusiastic Webb said “We enjoyed some good sales across the range and that was really worthwhile and encouraging”.
“The new Daily generates positive interest for us, it’s the practical answer for such a wide range of applications” says Webb.
Craig Pepperell at CablePrice in Wellington looks after Scania sales for the lower North Island. He enjoyed a “flat out and busy December”. Pepperell, an ex-Scania owner operator said, “Sales were strong in December and from the rate at which I’ve been speccing up vehicles it’s going to be an equally busy January. We’re already receiving good enquiry and it’s only the first week of the new year”
Pepperell’s experience as a Scania owner puts him in good stead when it comes to sales, finding that buyers put trust around his real-world ex-driver insight. However Pepperell is clear that the reason for the sales uplift is down to “Word getting out in the marketplace that Scania offers great fuel economy and reliability,
“Truck buyers these days are more discerning and these are Scania hallmarks”. says Pepperell
New trucks December
The new truck and bus market totaled 246 during December, up 13.4% on 217 sales seen the previous year.
Mitsubishi Fuso took the top place with a standout 71 sales, up 91.9% on 37. Market share was 28.9%. Hino sold 39, up 105.3% on 19 for a 15.9% share. Isuzu sold 32 up 10.3% on 29 for a 13% share.
The light segment (3500-9000kg GVM) saw 107 sales, up 21.6% on 88. The growth here was driven primarily by the segments top two sellers. Mitsubishi Fuso sold 31 units, up 55% on 20 for a 29% share. Hino sold 21, up 950% on 2 for a 19.6% share. Mercedes-Benz sold 19, down 24% on 25 for a 17.8% share.
The medium segment (9001-23,000kg GVM) topped 35 sales, up 25% on 36. Mitsubishi Fuso took the top position with 17, up 325% on 4 for a 37.8% share. Isuzu was second with 11, up 10% on 10 for a 24.4% share. Hino sold 9, up 12.5% on 8 for a 20% share.
The heavy segment (23,001+ GVM) saw 71 sales, up 6% on 67. Mitsubishi Fuso was the top seller with 15, up 36.4% on 11 for a 21.1% market share. Freightliner sold 10, up 900% on 1 for a 14.1% share. Hino sold 9, equalling the previous year’s effort for a 12.7% share.
Buses over 3500kg GVM sold 22, down 15.4% on 26. Alexander Dennis sold 8, down 38.5% on 13 for a 36.4% share. Mitsubishi Fuso also sold 8, up 300% on 2 for a 36.4% share.
