Crackerjack annual totals mark each segment
While the 2018 commercial vehicles sales total was awaited eagerly, the final total must have exceeded expectations amongst even the most confident.
December Truck Industry Council (TIC) T-Mark figures drove hard into the 40,000s, in a way that will raise concerns about how sustainable the new mark can be.
Whatever happens in the new year, however, celebrations are no doubt in order with the final total hitting 41,628 as December reached 3,455.
Much clinking of glasses will be heard, doubtless for a short time, at Isuzu, which broke into five figures by 27 units, while its 952 for December gives it a monthly four-figure peak to strike at in future.
Hino, too, will count it a strong year, with 5,646 and 447 consolidating its second place over Fuso at 4,302 and 403.
Heavy duty
Amongst the big bangers, there was a touch of tempered brilliance.
The monthly total was 1,186, which is below 2017’s 1,250, but year to date was the real story.
Last year’s 14,344 put even 2017’s estimable 12,002 in the shade.
The story was similar for the makes. Segment ruler Kenworth’s 259 for December was down on the previous year’s 286. But hard graft earlier saw the total reach 2,946, with something to aim at if the good times continue to roll to the coming December.
Volvo too has much to like, with an annual 2,138 putting it in rarefied and record air.
Worth noting too that Mercedes-Benz broke into four figures with 1,097 – more than double 2016’ 423 and up significantly on the following year’s 813.
Medium duty
Ten years ago, at 761 and 9,609, the medium-duty segment was in its pomp.
Though 2018 is yet to hit that level, the segment regularly tops each previous year in the second-half of this decade.
So, at 693 and 8,210, it’s not yet threatening 2008’s totals but the segment is working on it.
Isuzu’s 292 and 3,307 are the strong results, while Fuso’s 167 and 2,187 and Fuso’s 112 and 1,230 are incrementally higher on 2017.
Here, an eye should be kept on MAN, which ended 2018 on 698, nicely up on 2017’s 462 and hugely above 2016’s 77.
Light duty
Can anything halt the light brigade’s charge? The previous year’s 1,057 and 11,628 was shrugged off to the tune of 1,188 and 13,129, that story replicated amongst the leading Japanese threesome.