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A PLACE IN THE SUN
Page 73
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Our man on the inside says the holiday season has stalled the turnover of less popular trucks. And theft could be filling some demand.
As many people in 'logistics administration' fly out to Tenerife, the Canary Islands or Costa del Cash, to top up on the drink and sun tans, dealers and manufacturers back home are left to stare at the stock on the forecourt awaiting their return.
August is always the slow month. Truck sales reps are even tempted to follow their customers overseas, hoping by chance they bump into them on the marina front, and prompt an impulse sale. But those back home are more than willing to snap up what's available. If it's a tractor with a big cab and a big engine, then it's fair game.
Several independent dealers have made good money through July for tractors with 420hp plus under the cab, and if it's got extra room in the cab then residuals go out of the window, and sales bonuses are cashed in. Some buyers and operators are happy to get into bidding wars; one 2002 registered 52-plated Dal XF95 4x2 tractor, with 480hp with a Space Cab with average mileage went for more than 30% over CAP book price. According to the Midlands dealership several of his customers kept upping the price.
Ferocious bidding on trucks like this does happen. Two-axle tractors were rare three and four years ago as VED rates were lopsided now the used market can't get enough of 4x2s.
Further down the food chain the standard late-year 6x2 fleet tractor with less than 400hp at the driver's disposal is proving a steady seller although not fetching decent money.
Now only late-year fleet-spec models are in with a chance of a quick sale to established customers, otherwise turnaround is hard. Several dealerships say they have struggled to offload fleet-spec vehicles even though they are aware of their imminent arrival through lease and contract-hire deals.
If you want a multi-axle rigid then join the queue. Only ex-TLS 6x4 tippers with a grab seem to be available; hook loaders barely touch the ground before they are sold and tippers come along as often as a British Olympic gold.
The poor availability of 8x4s as a whole has led several operators and independent dealers to suggest that the recent crop of thefts of four-axle tippers and hook loaders is filling the void created by excessive demand on the used market. The Met says its evidence points towards the trucks being broken up with the identifiable parts dumped or shipped, and the rams, pumps and ancillary equipment fitted to other trucks.
"Hook-loaders barely touch the ground before they are sold and tippers come along as often as a British Olympic gold"