This time last year the truck industry was celebrating a new June sales record when 4,987 new heavy trucks and vans were sold in Australia. Well twelve months on and the 5,000 barrier has been smashed, with over 6,000 new heavy vehicles sold in the month of June 2023. New heavy vehicle sales in Australia continue to go from strength to strength, with the June result further proof of a booming market.
June 2023 saw a number of records broken for new truck sales in Australia. Firstly, the total number of heavy vehicles, Light Duty Trucks and Vans, Medium Duty Trucks and Heavy Duty Trucks sold in June was 6,054, that represents a 21.4 percent increase in sales over the June 2022 result.
It was only in June 2018 that the 4,000 sales mark, in a single month, was broken for the first time and now five years on, sales have broken through the 6,000 barrier. Prior to 2018 the best sales month was shared by June 2007 and June 2009 when 3,718 new heavy trucks were sold.
June 2007 was of course pre-Global Financial Crisis (GFC) with both the economy and truck sales flourishing, while the 2009 result was buoyed by then labor federal government GFC incentives that saw a spike in sales at the end of the financial year, in a year that was otherwise quite forgettable for new truck sales.
Of course, the 30th June this year marked the end of the current federal government COVID instant asset right-off incentive, put in place by the previous coalition government and supported by the Labor Party. There is little doubt that this incentive assisted the June 2023 sales record.
Other records to tumble in June just past were sales for HD, MD and LD. The only segment that did not register record sales in June was Vans.
There were 2,294 HD trucks sold for the month, breaking the previous record of 1,594 set in June 2022. While the Medium truck segment broke a long standing record (just) with 1,077 MD trucks in June breaking the previous record of 1,073 set back in June 2008.
Light Duty truck sales in June amounted to 2,034, breaking the previous record of 1,751 set in June 2022.
Finally, the overall half year result for calendar year 2023 was also a new record with this year’s January to June result breaking the previous mid-year peak of 20,887 sales set last year, by 1,867 heavy vehicle sales. 24,395 heavy vehicles have been delivered year-to date in 2023.
Amongst all the record breaking news, the Van segment continues to struggle somewhat, with June Light Duty Van sales (vans with a GVM between 3,500 kg and 8,000 kg) well down over their record breaking year of 2021. 649 LD Vans were delivered for the month of June 2023, up just 0.6 percent (4 vans) over June 2022.
LD Vans posted a total of 1,591 sales for the second quarter months of April to June, up 2.1 percent (33 vans) over the same period last year, however significantly down, -42.6 percent (-678 vans) the record Q2 result in 2021, where 2,269 vans were sold. At the half way point of the year, the Van tally stands at 2,914 units, up on 2022 by 16.9 percent (421 vans), but trailing well behind (-27.8 percent) the record van sales of 2021.
Tony McMullan, Chief Executive Officer of TIC, commented, “Firstly, cracking the 6,000 mark for sales in a single month is a fantastic result for the industry. This capped off a great second quarter result and combined with solid first quarter sales, finds the market at record levels at the half way point of the year.”
“These very strong sales numbers to June 30 this year, and strong numbers since COVID relief commenced, demonstrate how Government decision making in the form of an investment allowance can be successful in modernising the nation’s truck fleet.”
“Australia as we know has one of the oldest truck fleets in the world and with each new truck sale comes a safer, cleaner, greener truck operating on Australian roads. With 24,395 new trucks on the road this year alone, this is indeed a good result for Australian road users.” Mr McMullan concluded.
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i Truck Industry Council is the peak body representing all suppliers of on-road heavy vehicles in Australia. TIC members represent 17 truck brands currently on sale in Australia, plus four truck engine and major component suppliers.
ii T-Mark is a database that compiles all trucks (that is, non-passenger carrying vehicles with Gross Vehicle Mass above 3,500 kg) sold into the Australian market that comply with Australian Design Rules. All road registered vehicles are captured, plus most of the off-road vehicles. Monthly data reports are made available to TIC members and the media.
[1] Heavy Duty Truck Segment is defined as cab-chassis type vehicles (both rigid and prime mover application) with a) Three or more axles; or
b) Two axles, a Gross Vehicle Mass greater than 8,000 kg, AND a Gross Combined Mass of more than 39,000 kg.
[1] Medium Duty Truck Segment is defined as cab-chassis type vehicles with Gross Vehicle Mass of greater than
8,000 kg, but with a Gross Combined Mass up to and including 39,000 kg.
[1] Light Duty Truck Segment is defined as cab-chassis type vehicles with Gross Vehicle Mass of 3,501 kg to 8,000 kg inclusive.
[1] Light Duty Van Segment is defined as enclosed van (non passenger carrying) vehicles with Gross Vehicle Mass of 3,501 kg to 8,000 kg inclusive.Please contact Mark Hammond, Chief Technical Officer & T-Mark Manager on 0408 225 212 or
