The Australian truck market continues to soften in 2025, with April data showing a clear decline across all segments. According to the Truck Industry Council (TIC), just 3,416 new trucks were sold in April—down 21.2% compared to the same month in 2024. While this may signal a cautious market, fleet managers should consider the broader context before making procurement decisions.
Market Overview
April marked the sharpest monthly drop so far this year, reinforcing a pattern of reduced demand seen in Q1. Despite the slowdown, overall truck sales remain historically strong, with 2025 currently tracking as the third best year on record, behind only 2023 and 2024.
Year-to-date (YTD), the total truck market is down 10.9% compared to the first four months of 2024. Importantly, all segments—Heavy, Medium, Light Duty trucks, and vans—posted lower volumes in April.
Segment Performance: Insights for Fleet Planning
Heavy Duty Trucks
- April Sales: 1,110 units (down 28.4% or 440 units year-on-year)
- YTD Total: 4,490 units (down 15.9%)
Fleet managers in industries dependent on heavy freight should factor in longer lead times, as demand remains high relative to production constraints in recent years.
Medium Duty Trucks
- April Sales: 600 units (down 9.0%)
- YTD Total: 2,264 units (down 5.7%)
This segment, often a workhorse for urban logistics and council operations, has been more resilient than others. The modest decline suggests steady replacement activity.
Light Duty Trucks (3,500 kg–8,000 kg GVM)
- April Sales: 872 units (down 25.0%)
- YTD Total: 3,800 units (down 12.2%)
Light trucks have seen one of the steeper drops, which may impact fleets relying on utility and delivery vehicles. Supply chain stability should be monitored for upcoming vehicle tenders.
Light Duty Vans
- April Sales: 834 units (down 13.4%)
- YTD Total: 3,219 units (down 5.3%)
Van sales are tracking better than trucks overall, but still reflect hesitancy in capex for last-mile delivery assets.
Fleet Manager Implications
For fleet operators, the current downturn in truck sales could represent a strategic window for vehicle acquisition—particularly for those with replacement cycles due in the next 12–18 months. OEMs and dealers may begin offering incentives to stimulate sales, especially on slow-moving models or ageing inventory.
Tony McMullan, CEO of the Truck Industry Council, highlighted several influencing factors:
“The April sales numbers in combination with the first quarter 2025 sales show that the heavy truck and van market is cooling this year,” he said. “However, at the end of April, overall heavy vehicle sales were the third best on record.”
One of the key considerations for fleet managers is election-related uncertainty.
“Historically new heavy vehicle sales have always slowed in the run-up to a federal election,” McMullan noted. “With the election result now known and with the Labor government returned, Australian businesses have a reasonable insight into the economic environment for the next three years.”
This political stability may help unlock fleet budgets and give procurement teams the confidence to move ahead with planned investments. That said, McMullan also warned of global headwinds:
“The happenings in the USA economy and the possibility of a US recession may have the potential to weaken Australian business confidence in the coming months.”
Final Thoughts
For fleet managers, April’s truck sales figures are a useful barometer of economic sentiment and industry behaviour. While overall volumes are down, the fundamentals of the market remain sound. With sales still above long-term averages, fleets with planned replacement programs should maintain momentum, especially if favourable pricing or availability arises.
McMullan summed it up:
“If we keep tracking at, or above, the third best yearly sales result, 2025 may work out better than some commentators would have you believe.”
Source: Truck Industry Council – T-Mark Sales Data, April 2025
