New trucks market in Ukraine shrinks by almost a third in March 2024 - analytical group

MOSCOW. April 3 (Interfax) - The sales of new trucks with a gross vehicle weight of over 3.5 tonnes in Ukraine decreased 32%, or by 144 trucks, to 305 in March 2024 year-on-year, Ukrainian media said, citing the AUTO-Consulting information and analytical group.

The decline in truck sales was reported by almost all market operators, except for some, experts said.

"The results of the first quarter aren't bad for now (-3%), but, unfortunately, the March trend hints pointedly that it may not be so optimistic later on," AUTO-Consulting said.

The largest decline was recorded in the carrier sector due to the blockade of the Polish border, a circumstance which causes trucks to idle for longer periods than they operate.

"It has become difficult for carriers to make lease payments, which is why the number of orders for new trucks has dropped," it said.

There has also been a significant decrease in public utility vehicle sales by unified territorial communities, and producers of vehicles for rescue services are facing a crisis as well.

"The uncertainty with the logistics routes for Ukrainian grain exports is not conducive to extensive machinery purchases by agricultural enterprises either," the analytical center said.

According to AUTO-Consulting statistics, Scania topped the list with 56 trucks sold in Ukraine in March 2024, down from 62 sold in March 2023. Volvo ranked second after its sales dropped 36%, or by 25 trucks, to 44.

MAN was in third place with 33 trucks sold in Ukraine in March 2024, a 57% rise from March 2023, when MAN ranked seventh. Mercedes-Benz was in fifth place in March 2024, selling 27 trucks versus 82 trucks sold in March 2023, when it topped Ukraine's list.

JAC led the public utility machinery segment with 17 vehicles sold in Ukraine in March 2024 versus one in March 2023. JAC was also in eighth place in the general ranking in March 2024.

As reported, the sales of new trucks with a gross vehicle weight of over 3.5 tonnes in Ukraine in 2023 were the highest over the previous ten years, having grown 56.5% to 4,853 year-on-year, according to AUTO-Consulting data.