Mack deliveries down 38% in North America

LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa. (Dec. 20, 2001) — Mack Trucks reported that its new truck deliveries through November 2001 are down 35% compared with the same period last year.

The company delivered a total of 21,565 vehicles worldwide through November, compared with 33,041 units delivered during the same period last year. The bulk of its shipments are in North America, where deliveries have declined 38%.

After a record year in 1999, most heavy truck manufacturers have experienced dramatic drops in North American commercial truck sales. As a result of continued weakness in the market, Mack announced that it will shut down production at its Winnsboro, S.C., assembly facility from Dec. 31 to Jan. 18, and close its Macungie, Pa., facility from Dec. 31 to Jan. 11.

Mack plans to close its Winnsboro plant permanently by the end of next year, at which point production will be shifted to a plant in New River Valley, Va., owned by Volvo Trucks North America. Both Mack and Volvo Trucks North America are owned by Volvo AB of Sweden.