PACCAR Achieves Record Quarterly Earnings

“PACCAR achieved record net income for the third quarter of 2023,” said Preston Feight, chief executive officer. “PACCAR’s third quarter results reflect excellent Truck, Parts and Other gross margins of 19.5% and strong PACCAR Parts profits. PACCAR’s investments in innovative new DAF, Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks and enhanced manufacturing efficiency are benefiting truck owners’ operating performance and delivering strong financial results. PACCAR Parts’ excellent performance is the result of providing industry-leading technology that enhances customer uptime. PACCAR Financial Services achieved strong results due to its high quality portfolio. I am very proud of our employees for producing the highest quality trucks and transportation solutions for our customers.”
 

PACCAR achieved net income of $1.23 billion ($2.34 per diluted share) in the third quarter of this year, 60% higher than the $769 million ($1.47 per diluted share) earned in the same period last year. Third quarter revenues were $8.70 billion, 23% higher than the $7.06 billion reported in the third quarter of 2022.

PACCAR reported net income of $3.18 billion ($6.07 per diluted share) for the first nine months of 2023, including a $446.4 million after-tax, non-recurring charge related to civil litigation in Europe, compared to $2.09 billion ($3.99 per diluted share) earned in same period last year. Excluding the non-recurring charge, the company earned adjusted net income (non-GAAP)[1] of $3.63 billion ($6.92 per diluted share) in the first nine months of 2023. Net sales and financial services revenues for the first nine months of 2023 were $26.05 billion, compared to $20.69 billion achieved last year.

PACCAR’s Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of twenty-seven cents ($.27) per share, payable on December 6, 2023, to stockholders of record at the close of business on November 15, 2023. PACCAR has delivered annual dividends, including regular quarterly and extra cash dividends, totaling approximately 50% of net income for many years.

Highlights of PACCAR’s financial results for the third quarter of 2023 include:

 
Financial Highlights – Nine Months 2023

Highlights of PACCAR’s financial results for the first nine months of 2023 include:

 
Global Truck Markets

“Customers are replacing older vehicles with the new fuel-efficient Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks,” said Mike Dozier, PACCAR executive vice president. “Infrastructure spending in the U.S. has been good for Kenworth and Peterbilt’s truck business. U.S. and Canada Class 8 truck industry retail sales in 2023 are estimated to be in a range of 295,000-315,000 vehicles. Class 8 truck industry retail sales for 2024 are expected to be in a range of 260,000-300,000 vehicles.

European truck industry registrations in the above 16-tonne segment are estimated to be in the range of 310,000-330,000 units this year. The market in 2024 is expected to be in a range of 260,000-300,000 trucks. Harald Seidel, DAF president, said, “DAF trucks’ industry-leading, fuel-efficient vehicles and unparalleled driver comfort improves customers’ operational performance.”

The South American above 16-tonne truck market is projected to be in a range of 105,000-115,000 units this year, and in a similar range in 2024. DAF’s market share in the Brasilian above 16-tonne truck segment is a record 10% this year, compared to 6.9% in the same period last year.

Peterbilt Launches New Model 589 Truck

Peterbilt recently unveiled a new flagship Model 589 truck. The truck’s iconic design is complemented by advanced technologies that deliver high performance and maximum uptime. The Peterbilt 589 features a new robotically assembled 2.1-meter-wide cab, an aluminum hood, and modern, premium interior appointments. The truck also offers an array of state-of-the-art features such as adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, highway departure braking and side object detection. Customer demand for the new Peterbilt 589 is strong and production will begin in January 2024.

“The Model 589 represents the essence of the Peterbilt brand in terms of styling and driver appeal,” added Jason Skoog, PACCAR vice president and Peterbilt general manager. “The enhanced performance, technology and comfort of the Model 589 will benefit truck owners’ operational performance.”

PACCAR Parts achieved pretax profit of $412.3 million in the third quarter of 2023, compared to $373.6 million earned in the third quarter of 2022. Third quarter 2023 revenues were $1.58 billion, compared to $1.47 billion achieved in the third quarter last year. PACCAR Parts achieved pretax profit of $1.27 billion in the first nine months of 2023, which is 19% higher than the $1.07 billion reported in the first nine months of 2022. PACCAR Parts’ nine-month revenues were $4.80 billion, compared to $4.30 billion for the same period last year. “Third quarter parts sales and profits benefited from industry-leading logistics operations in PACCAR’s 18 strategically located Parts Distribution Centers (PDCs),” noted Laura Bloch, PACCAR vice president and PACCAR Parts general manager. “PACCAR Parts’ technology solutions such as Managed Dealer Inventory and innovative programs such as Fleet Services increase customers’ vehicle uptime and financial performance.”

PACCAR’s PDCs support more than 2,000 DAF, Kenworth and Peterbilt dealer sales, parts and service locations, and more than 270 TRP stores. These independent, well-capitalized dealers provide excellent service to customers, complementing the premium quality of DAF, Kenworth and Peterbilt vehicles.

PACCAR has begun construction of a new, 240,000 square-foot PACCAR PDC to be opened in Massbach, Germany, in 2024. This PDC will improve parts delivery to dealers and customers in the region. PACCAR Parts’ 18 worldwide PDCs total 3.3 million square feet.

Financial Services Companies Achieve Strong Results

PACCAR Financial Services (PFS) earned pretax income of $133.8 million in the third quarter this year compared to $146.2 million in the third quarter of 2022. PFS achieved third quarter 2023 revenues of $464.1 million compared to $371.9 million in the same period last year. For the first nine months of 2023, PFS earned pretax income of $427.3 million compared to $437.6 million last year. Nine-month revenues were $1.33 billion compared with $1.11 billion for the same period a year ago. Todd Hubbard, vice president, said, “PFS achieved strong third quarter results due to its high quality portfolio. PFS is a leader in the market with its superior Kenworth, Peterbilt and DAF products, innovative technologies that provide seamless credit application and loan servicing processes, and its support of customers in all phases of the business cycle.”

PFS has a portfolio of 225,000 trucks and trailers, with total assets of $19.56 billion. PacLease, a major full-service truck leasing company with a fleet of 43,000 vehicles, is included in this segment. Craig Gryniewicz, PACCAR Financial Corp. president said, “PACCAR’s strong balance sheet, complemented by its A+/A1 credit ratings, enables PFS to have excellent access to the commercial paper and medium-term note markets. PFS profitably supports the sale of PACCAR trucks in 26 countries on four continents.”

PACCAR, Cummins, Daimler Truck and EVE Energy are partnering to create state of the art commercial vehicle battery cell production in the United States. The joint venture partners expect growing demand for zero emissions vehicles throughout the decade. The planned battery factory will provide cost effective scale and industry leading battery cell technology, which will benefit commercial vehicle customers in North America. The total investment is expected to be in the range of $2-$3 billion for the 21-gigawatt hour (GWh) factory. “PACCAR is committed to producing electric batteries to benefit customers’ operational and environmental goals,” said John Rich, PACCAR vice president and chief technology officer.

PACCAR, Cummins, and Daimler Truck will each own 30% of the joint venture, which will focus on lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery technology for commercial battery-electric trucks. EVE Energy will serve as the technology partner in the joint venture with 10% ownership and will contribute its industry-leading battery cell design and manufacturing expertise. The LFP battery cells produced by the joint venture will offer several advantages including lower cost, longer life, enhanced safety and excellent performance.

PACCAR’s excellent long-term profits, strong balance sheet and consistent focus on quality have enabled the company to invest $7.6 billion in new and expanded facilities, innovative products and new technologies during the past decade. Capital investments are estimated to be in a range of $650-$675 million, and research and development expenses to be in a range of $410-$420 million, this year. “PACCAR is increasing its investment in fuel efficient diesel and electric powertrain technologies, autonomous systems, connected vehicle services, and next-generation manufacturing and parts distribution capabilities,” said Harrie Schippers, president and chief financial officer. PACCAR estimates that it will invest $675-$725 million in capital projects and $470-$520 million in research and development expenses in 2024.