Manufacturers Report 3.6% Rise in April Sales

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etail sales of Class 8 trucks rose 3.6% in April from the same month in 2002, as five truck makers increased sales but three others showed declines.

But since truck sales earlier this year had been weaker, the mild gain in April still left year-to-date Class 8 sales 6.3% behind the pace for the first four months of last year, according to Ward’s Communications, which tracks retail truck sales.

Class 8 sales in April reached 12,315 units, compared with 11,882 a year earlier. Year-to-date sales dropped to 37,394 units from 39,908 at the same point in 2002.

Last month’s upturn followed a 20.9% decline in March, and came amid some positive news for the trucking industry.

For the full story, see the May 19 edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.

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