DTNA Q2 sales surge 8% in first year-over-year gain since Q3 2024

Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) reported its first quarterly year-over-year sales increase in six quarters, with Q2 2026 vehicle sales climbing 8% to 41,687 units. The rebound marks a sharp turnaround from Q1 2026, when sales plunged 24.5% year over year to 29,432 units—the lowest Q1 total since 2010. First-half 2026 sales still lagged 8% behind the same period last year, totaling 71,119 vehicles compared with 77,572 in the first half of 2025. DTNA’s parent company, Daimler Truck, attributed the Q1 slump to weak 2025 order intake driven by tariffs introduced under the Trump administration and broader market uncertainty. In response, DTNA laid off 2,000 workers across five North American plants in July 2025. However, improving freight demand and a surge in industry orders—including a June 2026 spike exceeding 100% year over year—signal stronger momentum heading into Q3. Preliminary ACT Research data shows North American Class 8 orders totaled 31,400 trucks in June 2026, a 231% jump from June 2025, marking the seventh straight month of year-over-year order growth. DTNA, which produces Freightliner, Western Star, and Thomas Built Buses, is the first major North American truck manufacturer to release Q2 sales figures. Globally, Daimler Truck’s Q2 2026 sales rose 8% to 86,707 vehicles, while Mercedes-Benz Trucks posted a 10% year-over-year increase to 38,970 units. Daimler Truck is set to release full Q2 earnings on August 7, 2026.