Australia’s new truck and van market slowed again in September, continuing the softer trend of 2025 compared with last year’s record-setting pace. According to the Truck Industry Council’s (TIC) T-Mark data, 3,878 heavy vehicles were sold in September, down 14.7% on the same month in 2024.
For the third quarter overall, sales reached 11,145 units. While this was 11.2% lower than Q3 2024, it still represents the third strongest third-quarter result on record, trailing only 2022 and 2024. Year-to-date, a total of 33,727 trucks and vans have been sold, which is 4,527 fewer units than the same point last year – a decline of 11.8%.
Heavy Duty: Still the Weakest Link
The Heavy Duty truck segment remains the most impacted by the downturn.
- September sales fell 20.2% year-on-year, with 1,221 units delivered.
- Q3 sales dropped 16.3% compared to the same period last year.
- Year-to-date, the segment is down 17.8%, with 10,563 units sold.
Medium Duty: A Sharp September Decline
Medium Duty trucks also recorded heavy losses in September:
- Down 28.4% compared with September 2024 (201 fewer trucks).
- Q3 sales were 1,578 units, down 20.6% year-on-year.
- Year-to-date, sales sit at 5,276 units, a 12.4% decline.
Light Duty Truck: Resilient but Easing
The Light Duty segment continues to hold up better than its larger counterparts:
- Q3 saw 3,691 units sold, up 1% on last year, and the second-best Q3 on record.
- September alone was weaker, down 3.3% year-on-year.
- Year-to-date, Light Duty sales are 9,913 units, down 8.4%.
Light Duty Vans: Second-Best Q3 Despite Dip
The Light Duty van segment is the least affected overall:
- September sales fell 11.6% year-on-year.
- Q3 deliveries were down 12.8%, but still ranked as the second-best Q3 on record.
- Year-to-date sales stand at 7,975 vans, down 6.7%.
Industry Outlook: Stabilisation in Sight?
Tony McMullan, CEO of TIC, acknowledged the downturn but highlighted signs of stabilisation:
“The new heavy vehicle sales market was down 6.9 percent at the end of quarter one, dropping further to be down by 12.1 percent at the end of quarter two. Hence the slight improvement that we saw in the market year-to-date at the end of quarter three, down 11.8 percent, suggests that sales have steadied. Hopefully quarter two was the low point and that we will now witness stabilised, or increasing, sales for the last part of 2025 and into 2026.”
Despite weaker results, McMullan noted that 2025 is still on track to be Australia’s third-best sales year on record – a remarkable outcome considering the cooling economy and reduced fleet purchasing compared with 2024’s unprecedented highs.
- Fleet Maturity: Why People and Equity Separate Survivors from Casualties
As the heavy vehicle market moves through a period of correction, the gap between strong operators and those struggling has become increasingly visible. According to Craig Lee, Executive General Manager – On-Highway at Penske Australia & New Zealand, the difference is less about fleet size and more about maturity. “There’s a very simple financial metric, - Fuel Cost Recovery Order takes effect as diesel prices surgeA new road transport contractual chain order requiring regular rate adjustments to recover fuel costs has come into force, following sharp increases in diesel prices linked to conflict in the Middle East. The Road Transport Contractual Chain Order – Fuel Cost Recovery – 2026 commenced on 21 April 2026 after being issued by an Expert Panel for the road
- NSW expands EV incentives to trucks in push to accelerate heavy vehicle electrificationThe NSW Government has sharpened its focus on truck electrification with the release of its updated Electric Vehicle Strategy, expanding incentives to support the transition of delivery and service fleets. For operators of light and medium-duty trucks, the announcement signals a shift from early-stage passenger vehicle adoption to practical heavy vehicle deployment, supported by funding,
- The Big Shift: From Decarbonisation to ProductivityThe focus of the 2026 edition of TruckShowX is evolving. While decarbonisation remains an important part of the industry conversation, the event is now placing a stronger emphasis on productivity, efficiency, and practical technology adoption that delivers measurable business outcomes. According to Todd Hacking, Chief Executive Officer at the Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia (HVIA), this shift
- From Tracking to Fleet Advisory: Why Telematics Is Entering a New PhaseTelematics has long been associated with track-and-trace, driver behaviour monitoring and compliance reporting. But as fleet operations become more complex and margin pressure intensifies, the value proposition is shifting. According to Jonny Clarke, Director of Webfleet Australia and New Zealand, which is part of Bridgestone Mobility Solutions, the focus is moving beyond simply reporting what
