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International Q2 sales fall 8% on year, rise 21% versus Q1
Traton optimistic about demand in second half of 2026
Traton says global markets continue to be characterized by uncertainty despite an optimistic outlook in the second half of 2026. (Traton Group)
Key Takeaways:
- International sold 16,200 trucks and buses in the second quarter, down 8% year over year and up 21% from the first quarter.
- North American Class 8 orders reached 31,400 trucks in June, rising 231% from the year-ago period, according to preliminary ACT Research data.
- Traton said improving U.S. customer demand is gradually being reflected in unit sales and should become more visible later in 2026.
International Motors’ sales fell 8% in the second quarter of 2026 to 16,200 trucks and buses from 17,600 vehicles in the year-ago period, parent company Traton Group said July 10.
However, sales rose 21% compared with the first three months of the year, echoing a jump in Q2 sales reported by Daimler Truck North America on July 8 and providing a further indication of the ongoing recovery of the U.S. freight market.
Overall in the first half of 2026, International’s sales totaled 29,500 trucks and buses, a 15% decrease compared with 34,500 in the first six months of 2025.
International sold 13,300 vehicles — including IC Bus school buses — in the first quarter of 2026, a 21% decline from 16,900 vehicles a year earlier.
“The U.S. market recently showed encouraging signs of a recovery in customer demand, which is now gradually being reflected in unit sales and is expected to become more visible in the second half of 2026,” Traton said in comments accompanying the release of the sales figures.
Lisle, Ill.-based International is the second major truck manufacturer to report sales for the most recent quarter ahead of complete earnings, following DTNA — parent company of Freightliner and Western Star.
DTNA truck and bus sales rose 8% year on year in Q2 to 41,687 vehicles and climbed 41% compared with the first three months of 2026. Volvo Group and Paccar do not provide stand-alone sales figures.
Even better results are expected for the third quarter of 2026, as Traton noted, with ACT Research data released July 3 showing June orders rose by more than 100% year over year for the fifth consecutive month.
June Class 8 orders surge
North American Class 8 orders totaled 31,400 trucks in June, a 231% jump compared with the year-ago period, preliminary ACT data shows. Orders rose year over year in June for a seventh straight month.
Globally, Traton sold 82,900 trucks, buses and vans in the most recent quarter, a 4% increase compared with 80,000 vehicles in Q2 2025.
Traton — also the parent company of Scania, MAN Truck & Bus and Volkswagen Truck & Bus — said global markets continue to be characterized by uncertainty.
Strong sales in China, Brazil
A 7% increase in Scania sales underpinned the higher global Traton total, which the company attributed to stronger sales in China and Brazil.
MAN, meanwhile, benefited from a much stronger German market, posting a 3% climb in sales in Q2.
European sales beyond Traton and MAN’s home market lagged German demand, Traton said.
Traton is set to report full earnings for Q2 and the first half of 2026 on July 23.
