Thumbing its nose at the global financial crisis, Isuzu Australia records crushing sales victory during December
As if to thumb its nose at the global financial crisis, Isuzu Australia again recorded a crushing sales victory during December, finishing the year with 25 percent of the Australian new truck market in its pocket.
Reinforcing this domination, Isuzu also delivered more than double the number of deliveries of any other manufacturer during the month, according to data collected by ERG International and published monthly on Fullyloaded.com.au.
Also enjoying a good result in December was Kenworth, which finished the year as the leading heavy truck manufacturer, delivering another 216 trucks and taking their tally to 2661 for the year, despite a drop in forward orders that saw more than 100 staff cut from the company throughout 2008.
Volvo and Isuzu, while not challenging Kenworth for the heavy duty crown, certainly laid the foundations for a good start to 2009, with 107 and 94 units respectively.
Gary Bone, Senior Vice President for Sales and Marketing at Volvo Commercial Vehicles Australia, says demand for Euro 4- and 5-compliant trucks increased in the second half of 2008, with a consequent increase in sales.
“Volvo market share increased to levels not seen since 2005,” Bone says.
“Throughout 2009, Volvo will continue to showcase our new range of Euro 4 and Euro 5 model trucks, and our total service offering, because these difficult economic times reinforce the need for solid business partnerships.”
Isuzu, also offering Euro 4 compliance across its model range, finished the year 20 units ahead of Western Star, which enjoyed a ‘steady as she goes’ month with 72 trucks delivered, although company representatives are quietly confident of the good figures continuing into 2009.
To view the sales data in full, click here