China H1 heavy truck sales up 51% to 397,200 units

Shanghai. July 21 (Gasgoo.com) Sales of heavy-duty trucks in the Chinese market rose impressively in the first half of 2008. Total sales volume of heavy trucks amounted to 397,200 units, an increase of 51% from one year earlier, data from China Light Vehicle Analysis Union (CLVAU) shows.

The strong surge in heavy truck sales is related to a new regulation issued by China's Environmental Protection Agency. Under the new regulation, China started to ban all production and sales of heavy trucks that cannot meet EU-III emission standards starting July 1 of this year.

Lin Wei, General Secretary of the CLVAU, said there would be a significant decline in sales in the second half of this year, and the market will possibly return to normal by October when consumers may gradually resume confidence. GF Securities Co estimates China's sales of heavy trucks for the second half will only total 180,000 units.

The data shows FAW Jie Fang Truck Co was the number one seller in the Jan-June market with sales of 104,000 units. Dongfeng Truck held on to second place with 73,000 units, followed by Sinotruck with 70,000 units.

Total sales by brands for the first six months of 2008:

Jie Fang: 104,000, +44%
Dongfeng: 73,000, +73.5%
Sinotruck: 70,000, +40%
Foton Auman: 38,000, +18.8%
Jianghuai Gallop: 7,000, --