CM Roadshow gets underway
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COMMERCIAL MOTOR'S season of Roadshows got off to a flying start at the Dragonara Hotel, Leeds, last week.
A small, but lively audience of Yorkshire hauliers heard CM's panel of experts give short addresses on a variety of topics — and gave them a grilling on those and other topics.
Cohn Burton of MercedesBenz's consultancy said the purchase of a lorry is a use of capital from which a positive return is required — and that if an operator cannot get a positive return he may be better off putting it on deposit.
Former Department of Transport head of road freight Reg Dawson pointed out that on drivers' hours, even if European ministers agree on the current rather muddled proposals, nothing would happen before July next year — so drivers should
not rush out and start doing nine-hour days yet.
John McNeil of P&O Roadways said it is not difficult to get work — just difficult to get the right price. "Any fool can be busy." he said.
If you are thinking of buying a new lorry, do so before . the end of March 1986. That was the advice offered by Mike Murray of Lloyds Bowmaker.
The reason is the further reduction in .capital allowances next April.
Ron Cater, sales development manager of Volvo Trucks (GB), said that for the small operator, contract maintenance must he the best bet.