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QTAS predicts poor year
Page 7
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• The Freight Transport Association is predicting that this year will be a difficult one for hauliers.
Results of its Quarterly Transport Activity Survey (QTAS)—which surveyed 140 ETA member companies—predict that this year will see the weakest growth in domestic road freight for three years; only 8% of respondents said the market would grow at all this year.
The pessimistic view of the market is underlined by a sharp decline in HGV fleet investment intentiens from respondents (see graph). ETA chief economist Simon Chapman says prospects for investment in trucks in the flrst quarter of this year is at its lowest level for more than two years.
Of the firms surveyed, 19% of those running vehicles over 3.5-tonnes said they would be running more vehicles, while 18% said they would run fewer, resulting in the 1% balance of respondents who would be changing their fleet size. All other companies (64%) said they would continue to run the same number of vehicles.
However, investment in small vehicles (less than 3.5-tonnes) will remain strong, with about a quarter of firms surveyed planning to increase the size of their fleet.
But Robin Dickeson, spokesman for the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders says truck builders aren't expecting the market for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes to shrink dramatically. "There Is some caution on investment in current circumstances, but we're expecting a strong market this year," he says.