Transport Topics (May 13, 2021)
Class 8 retail sales jumped 52.8% in April compared with a year earlier to 19,312, WardsAuto.com reported. In the 2020 period, sales were 12,637, according to Wards. That month saw a severe drop-off in freight, the accelerating spread of the novel coronavirus and temporary shutdowns at truck plants across various weeks. Meanwhile, year-to-date sales rose 22.1% to 73,534 compared with 60,219 a year earlier. All truck makers posted double-digit gains except for the smallest, Western Star, which saw sales fall by 27 trucks year-over-year.