Commercial new truck sales posted their second consecutive strong quarter in Q3 as the industry continues climbing out of the delivery hole creating during the weak first quarter of the year, the American Truck Dealers (ATD) recently reported in its Truck Beat report.
ATD reports in September commercial truck sales totaled 37,438 units, up 13% year over year, which brings 2026’s overall total to 303,947 units. That is down 5.4% against last year but continues the positive trend set in Q2 as commercial truck sales were down nearly 18% after Q1.
ATD Chief Economist Patrick Manzi says the freight market recovery in the first quarter has supported purchasing over the last six months, as has investment in AI across the nation.
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“Freight demand has been strong from firms building out AI infrastructure across the supply chain, while consumer demand has remained relatively flat,” Manzi states. “Freight rates have been pushed higher by a lack of trucking supply. The AI buildout will be a tailwind for freight for the foreseeable future.”
Yet Manzi also notes higher fuel prices due to the conflicts in Iran and Ukraine are tempering some growth, and will remain a “significant challenge in the short- to medium-term.”
Overall, ATD reports Class 8 sales of 152,960 units through the first nine months of the year, down 4.9% year-to-date. Medium-duty Classes 4-7 sales have totaled 150,987 units, down 6.0% year-to-date.
Freightliner remains the strongest player in the Class 8 space but has ceded some ground to International, Mack and Volvo this year. In the medium-duty segment, Ford and Freightliner remain the market leaders and are gaining share while International, GM and Hino have suffered the largest losses.
In projecting Q4 and year-end totals, Manzi states ATD expects medium-duty sales of 220,000 units and heavy-duty truck sales of 230,000 units, “both of which would be positive increases compared to 2025.”
