Sales of new artics soared in September as buyers purchased Euro 3 vehicles while they could. Sales of artics were up 72% compared to last year while rigides rose by 15.5%. Overall new truck sales were up 35%. It is difficult to tell the underlying level of truck sales (ie without the distortion of the Euro 3 peak) but it is likely to be still strong.

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This rise in sales was entirely predictable, maybe slightly lower than expected. The question facing truck makers now is when the buyers will return to the market. After brought forward the sales, it could be a lean few months. The same is true of the used truck market where all used Euro 3 vehicles have been snapped up. There is even talk of new truck sales next year falling by about 10,000 to 45,000. The industry could be moving from feast to famine.