Volvo Global Truck Sales is blaming the continuing downturn in the North American market for a 7% drop in sales through February.

The company delivered 26,017 trucks worldwide in the first two months of 2001 compared to 27,925 (including Mack and Renault) for the same period last year. Deliveries to North America totaled 6,658 through February, down 35% from last year. That included 2,698 Volvo trucks, down 29% from the same period in 2000, and 3,960 Mack trucks, a 39% decline from last year. Order intake for North America was down 18%.

Company president Tryggve Stehn said they are now beginning to see a downturn in central Europe, while the eastern European market continues to be strong. Deliveries through February were up 6%, buoyed significantly by a 45% increase in Eastern European sales.

Mack Trucks contributed a total 4,152 vehicles to the Volvo total. In addition to North American sales, Mack delivered 88 trucks to South America, a 300% increase from the same period last year.