U.S. Big-Truck Sales Soar By 62% in May

According to a report today from  Wards Auto,

"U.S. big-truck sales soared in May, up 61.9% vs. a year-ago and far surpassing April's 31.2% increase, previously 2011's best monthly performance. Class 8 sales made the biggest leap, up 82.4% thanks to triple-digit percentage increases at Volvo Truck and PACCAR, up 175.4% and 145.4%, respectively. Through May, sales of medium- and heavy-duty trucks in the U.S. were tracking 30.9% ahead of like-2010.

In other big-truck news, Daimler says it will add output and jobs at its North American plants this year. In the second half the company will hire about 1,230 workers at its Mt. Holly and Gastonia, NC, plants, as well as at the truck maker's sites in Portland, OR, and Saltillo, Mexico."

MP: Doesn't quite fit the "gloom and doom" double-dip recession story.