Derogation deadline looms
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By Kevin Swallow OPERATORS HAVE until June this year to order the last of the Euro-5 vehicles that qualify for derogation, according to truck manufacturers.
Those that meet the 30 September derogation deadline to order and have built Euro-5 trucks can then defer collection for a further 15 months.
However, it appears many operators that want Euro-5 trucks have brought forward orders anyway — irrespective of derogation.
Isuzu Truck (UK) marketing director Keith Child said large fleet operators are aware of deadlines and implications and have taken action, a point echoed across the industry.
Daf Trucks marketing director Tony Pain said a number of UK operators are planning fleet replacement specifically through September, securing Euro-5 production slots close to the derogation deadline. "At the moment we can build for August and October for non-derogation. The derogation deadline is May/June, but that could change," he said.
It is a trend that Nigel Butler, commercial director at Renault Trucks UK, has also seen. He said Renault's September schedules are filling up, and warned that there is the traditional European JulyAugust holiday period when factories close for up to two weeks to contend with too. "July, less three months' lead time, is an April/May order deadline," he said.
To get products within derogation from Volvo Trucks, you need to order by May. Commercial director Ian Mitchell said this is wholly dependant on demand in the first quarter, which is higher than expected at the moment.
Euro-5 deadline timetable Manufacturer Derogation orders Non-derogation orders Current lead time Daf Trucks May/June August 8-10 weeks lsuzu Truck (UK) May May 2 weeks lveco Trucks June July 8-12 weeks MAN August October 8-9 weeks Mercedes-Benz July July 8-12 weeks Renault Trucks June September Up to 12 weeks Scania June October 8-9 weeks Volvo Trucks May May (tractor), June (rigids) 15-18 weeks