By Jonathan S. Reiskin, Associate News Editor
Orders for heavy-duty North American trucks grew in nine of the first 10 months of the year, as industry watchers wondered when the mild slump in U.S. truck sales would end.
Finally, in September, sales did turn around.
August was the 12th straight month of sales declines measured year-over-year, but evidence that the drought had ended grew in October and November as sales increased for a second and then third month in a row, according to figures from WardsAuto.com.
Even after the three months of growth, though, 11-month sales lagged behind 2012's pace by 6.5%.
New-truck production fell even further than sales as manufacturers drew down inventories to complete many deals.
Among other original equipment manufacturers, medium-duty U.S. truck sales grew in 10 of the year's first 11 months, as volume in Classes 4-7 rose by 10.1% over the corresponding time in 2012, Ward's said. The three major weight classes — 7, 6 and 4/5 combined — showed growth after 11 months.