AT THE HEART OF THE ROAD TRANSPORT INDUSTRY.

Call our Sales Team on 0208 912 2120

Commercial vehicle demand soars

20th April 1973, Page 16
20th April 1973
Page 16
Page 16, 20th April 1973 — Commercial vehicle demand soars
Close
Noticed an error?
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.

Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

• Britain's lorry manufacturers are selling every lorry they can turn out. Their order books have rarely looked better.

But makers claim that strikes and industrial disputes are strangling supplies and holding up production. And while they battle with the unions, foreign makers like Volvo and Scania are taking advantage of the opportunity to increase their share of the British market.

Figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders this week show that for the first three months of this year, foreign imports took nearly 16 per cent of the UK market. This was against less than 10 per cent over the same period last year. Last month, imports accounted for nearly 20 per cent of deliveries.

A quick look at the British makers shows British Leyland — who have between a quarter and half of the UK market — with full order books.

York Trailers doubled their profits in the second half of last year to £667,000. Estimates are that ERF should finish close to 1971's record of £915,000.

The confidence of manufacturers for increased demand for British lorries was shown last week when Vauxhall decided to spend £25m expanding its Bedford division.