The Australian truck and heavy van market continued its slow run in October, with deliveries down 13.4% compared to the same month in 2024. While that sounds steep, last October set an all-time record for truck sales, creating a high benchmark for comparison.
According to the latest Truck Industry Council (TIC) T-Mark report, overall heavy-vehicle sales are tracking 12% lower year-to-date, with 37,648 trucks and vans delivered to the end of October — 5,131 fewer than the same point last year.
TIC CEO Tony McMullan said the decline has stabilised and mirrors broader business trends:
“The October result continues the downward trend that we have witnessed for the majority of 2025, though the sales decline has stabilised over the past few months. We continued to witness solid sales in the Light Duty truck segment again in October and that was pleasing to see. Economic conditions across most business sectors in Australia remain weak and it appears this lack of business confidence is reflecting in new truck and van sales.”
Despite the softer year, McMullan noted that the market remains on track for about 45,000 new truck and van sales in 2025, which would still be the third-best result on record.
Heavy Duty Trucks – Still Feeling the Pinch
The Heavy Duty segment remains the hardest hit. Only 1,226 units were delivered in October, a 19.7% drop (–301 trucks) from last year. Year-to-date, the segment is 18.0% down, equating to 2,595 fewer heavy trucks than 2024, with 11,789 units sold so far.
After several years of record growth, this represents a natural cooling phase for the top end of the market, reflecting a general slowdown in freight activity and infrastructure demand.
Medium Duty – The Biggest Monthly Decline
The Medium Duty sector, which had been a strong performer in 2024, has struggled throughout 2025. October was particularly tough, with 487 units sold, a 30.2% fall (–211 trucks) compared to October last year — the largest percentage decline of any segment this month. Year-to-date, Medium Duty sales are 14.3% lower, with 5,763 trucksdelivered so far.
Light Duty Trucks – A Bright Spot
In contrast, Light Duty trucks provided some good news, with 1,353 units sold in October — a 3.0% increase over the record month of October 2024. However, the segment still trails 7.2% down year-to-date, with 11,266 units sold.
This steady demand at the lighter end of the market shows resilience in last-mile and urban delivery operations, where many fleets are still investing despite broader economic caution.
Vans – Down for the Month
Light Duty van sales slumped 13.4% in October, with 855 units delivered — 132 fewer than the same month last year. Year-to-date van sales are 7.4% lower, with 8,830 units sold to the end of October.
The monthly result was nearly double the average year-to-date decline, suggesting that weaker consumer spending and import delays may be influencing fleet replacement cycles in this segment.
A Market Cooling, Not Collapsing
The 2025 trend represents a correction following four consecutive years of record or near-record truck sales. The TIC noted that heavy-vehicle markets are historically cyclical, and current figures align with declines across other business sectors.
Despite the softer demand, the market is showing stability and remains historically strong — with sales still on pace to deliver one of the top three results ever recorded for Australian heavy vehicles.
The Truck Industry Council (TIC) represents 19 truck brands and four major engine and component manufacturers supplying the Australian market. Its monthly T-Mark database tracks all new heavy vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Mass above 3,500 kg that comply with Australian Design Rules.
