October warmed up it’s glow plugs with the overall new truck and bus market above 3500kg finally firing after a tough winter.
A total of 313 units sold in October represents a very healthy 36.1% increase on the 230 shifted during the same time in 2011.
June was the last month to see overall growth, although 276 sales were just 8 more than in 2011, a meagre 2.6%.
Kurtis Andrews of Auckland’s Keith Andrews Trucks says the month was steady for new trucks, but not as strong as in the middle of the year.
“In terms of our used sales things are down a bit and we are planning on boosting our current stocks to create a bit more interest,” Andrews says. “Late model stuff has had the most interest lately.
“I think overall the market will be nothing special over the next 6 months, and hopefully picking up after that.”
David Ching from Hino Christchurch was much more excited.
“This whole year has been phenomenal and October was no different,” Ching says. “Like many I’ve had problems with my house following the earthquakes, but the general long term industry view is of buoyancy.”
“I feel positive about the future market, there is a lot of gear out there that people never got around to replacing when the recession, which means a whole lot of potential business still exists.”
Hino pipped Isuzu for the overall top spot with 53 units sold, up a massive 231.3% on the 16 they managed in October 2011.
Their market share totalled 16.9% and comes on the back of strong growth throughout 2012.
Although it is just the second time this year Isuzu hasn’t placed first – second to Fuso in March – they remain very strong. With 52 units units sold they grew 57.6% on 2011’s 33, market share coming in at 16.6%
Mitsubishi Fuso was bit further back in third with 37 sales, 7 units up with growth a respectable 23.3%, and market share of 11.8%.
Mercedes rolled out 25 units, up 3 or 13.6% for an 8.0% share.
Another boom month for Fiat with a total of 20 units sold, up 100% for a 6.4% share. The brand has been riding on strong growth that began in July.
UD Trucks sold 18, up 200% with a 5.8% share.
MAN saw a total of 12, up 3 or 33.3% for a 3.8% share.
Alexander Dennis and were tied on 10 for a 3.2% share, the former down 28.6% and the latter up by 25%.
Ford, Freightliner and Kenworth all sold 9 trucks for a 2.9% market share. Ford saw growth of 80%; no movement for Freightliner; and Kenworth was up 12.5%.
Trucks between 3500kg and 12,000kg saw a total of 126 sales, up 55 or 77.5%.
Isuzu was first here, with 32 trucks up 15 or 88.2%. Market share was 25.4%
Fiat sold 20, up 100% for a 15.9% share.
In third place was Mitsubishi Fuso, also with 20, a growth of 53.8% for a 15.9% share.
Hino sold 18, up 15 or 500% for a 14.3% share.
Ford’s 9 was an 80% growth, and they took a 7.1% share.
Mercedes was in sixth place with 8, down 2 units or 20% – the only drop in the segment this month, for a 6.3% share.
Volkswagen, Hyundai and UD Trucks sold 6, 5 & 5 respectively, with growth at 20%, 400% and 150%.
In the trucks over 12,001kg segment Hino sold 35 units, up 22 or 169.2% on 2011 for a healthy 22% market share.
Isuzu was further back on 17, up 2 or 33.3% for a 10.7% share.
Mercedes Benz came in third with 16 sales, up 5 or 45.5% for a 10.1% share.
UD trucks was strong, totalling 13, up 9 or 225% for a market share of 8.2%
DAF and MAN sold 10 trucks each for a 6.3% market share. Respective growth levels were 25% and 400%.
Freightliner and Kenworth also matched each other with 9 units and 5.7% share. The former equaled their 2011 effort while the latter grew 12.5%.
Scania sales of 8 were down 38.5% with a 5% share.
Fuso totalled 7, down 41.7% for a 4.4% share.
Iveco and Volvo sold 6 trucks each for a 3.8% share. Iveco were down 40%, and Volvo matched last October’s figure.
Buses over 3500kg was the only segment to take a fall, although 28 units sold was just 2 units or 6.7% down on last October.
Alexander Dennis sold 10, down 4 or 28.6% for a 35.7% share.
Fuso sold 9, up 4 or 80% for a 32.1% market share.
Isuzu sold 3, up 2 or 200% for a 10.7% share.
MAN sold 2, down 5 or 71.4% for a 7.1% share.
Mercedes Benz sold 2, up 100 for a 7.1% share.
Kiwi Bus NZ sold 1, with none sold in October 2011. It gave them a 3.6% share.
Volvo snuck in 1 sale, up on last year with a share of 3.6%.
