New truck and van sales in Australia kicked off 2025 on a solid footing, recording the second-best January sales performance on record. While total truck sales for the month reached 2,786 units, this fell just short of the all-time January record set in 2024 by 133 vehicles. Despite a 4.6% year-on-year decline, the result was stronger than anticipated, given the slowdown in late 2024.
Tony McMullan, CEO of the Truck Industry Council (TIC), acknowledged the positive start to 2025 but cautioned against reading too much into early-year figures. āAs for the past two years, it is pleasing to see such a strong start to the year for new heavy vehicle sales in Australia. However, as I generally remark at this time of year, January and even February sales are subject to fluctuations due to the transition of supplying trucks from one year to the next and the summer holiday period,ā McMullan said. He noted that the weaker Light Duty truck sales might be influenced by these seasonal factors and emphasised that a clearer market trend would emerge by the end of the first quarter.
Heavy Duty Trucks Hold Strong Despite Slight Decline
The Heavy Duty (HD) truck segment saw a small dip in sales, with 898 units delivered in January 2025. This represents a 5.2% drop compared to the record-breaking January 2024. However, given last year’s exceptional performance, the decline was expected. Industry analysts suggest this remains a strong start for the HD market, exceeding initial projections.
Medium Duty Trucks Buck the Trend
Unlike other segments, Medium Duty (MD) truck sales were up in January 2025, making it the only segment to record growth. A total of 472 MD trucks were delivered, a 7.5% increase over the 439 units sold in January 2024. Although still 14% below the January 2008 record of 551 units, this marks the highest January sales for the segment since 2019. Given the shrinking nature of the MD truck market, such growth is notable.
Light Duty Trucks Take the Biggest Hit
Light Duty (LD) truck sales saw the most significant decline, continuing a downward trend from 2023. Only 728 LD trucks were sold in January 2025, marking a 12.8% drop from January 2024 and a substantial 29% decline from the record set in January 2023. This equates to 107 fewer LD trucks sold compared to last year and 300 fewer than in January 2023. The downturn highlights a cooling demand for smaller trucks, possibly influenced by supply constraints or shifting market preferences.
Light Duty Vans Show Resilience
Despite the declines in truck sales, Light Duty vans continued to perform well. January 2025 saw 688 new van registrations, just 10 units (1.4%) shy of the all-time record set in January 2024. This follows a strong 2024, where the segment posted record-high sales. The consistent demand for vans suggests stability in the market, particularly in last-mile delivery and urban logistics.
With 2025 now underway, the truck and van market has shown resilience despite some declines. The coming months will determine whether the industry can sustain this momentum and overcome supply chain challenges or potential economic headwinds.
