THE FUTURE
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John Bullock says that over the next 18 months the parts and service divisions of the Irlam dealership will grow, but sales “is going to be a difficult job”.
“I am looking for 400 vehicles out of here this year. I think the market will be gradual, it will pick up and kick again about March time,” he says, with impetus having to come from the manufacturers.
“There are a lot of four-year-old trucks, and older, where customers haven’t changed in the last two years. Vehicles are at the point where it starts to cost money to extend R&M contracts,” he says.
With a poor used truck supply, which is becoming increasingly expensive, he says operators are going to have to buy new. “The only problem, for every manufacturer, is stocking levels. Dealers have all been hit so hard over the last few years being overstocked; we are all looking very closely before we order anything,” he says. “Northern now carries 30% of the stock it had three years ago.” The Fiat van franchise in Manchester is another long-term goal, and Northern Commercials already has a successful dedicated van centre in Leeds.