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2003 USED MARKETIMUYANT

13th February 2003
Page 51
Page 51, 13th February 2003 — 2003 USED MARKETIMUYANT
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Despite stock market jitters and the prospect of war with Iraq, the used truck market is starting 2003 in buoyant mood. That's the view of independent dealer Martin Rhodes. "Some vehicles are fetching very good prices at present," he says.

"At a recent auction I saw 1998-vintage, R-registered Scania rigids with demountable curtainsider bodies selling for 112,000," Rhodes comments. "That's a lot of money for a five-year-old 17-tonner, "That said, run-of-the-mill tractors are still declining in value, and older vehicles aren't making anything like book figures," he continues.

"Lower-horsepower stuff certainly struggles unless it's possible to chip the engine and increase the power output," he says. "400hp is now the benchmark for second-hand tractors, and 420hp units will fetch a lot more than 400hp."

The possibility of conflict in the Middle East may already be having an impact on used truck exports, says Rhodes. 'Apparently, so many ships are being chartered to move stores and military vehicles out there that some exporters are struggling to find vessels to ship second-hand trucks out to their customers," he comments.

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