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Back door for Aro
Page 5
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IRISH vehicle assembler John market a Romanian rival to the The Aro, a fully-trimmed vehicle with Peugeot diesel and petrol engines, independent front suspension, windup windows, Girling brakes, and Dunlop tyres, will be marketed in this country "within the next two months", according to Harris Road and Land Vehicles general manager Liam O'Reilly.
He told CM last week that three basic models, one with canvas top, one a pick-up, and one with hard top and full back door will be available.
Some months ago rumours circulated—and have now been confirmed that MAN was to import the vehicles to Britain—but the plans to do so never materialised.
A more luxurious four door model rivalling the Range Rover is in the process of being presented for type approval, while the others will be subject to construction and use regulations. "These have now been sorted out," he told CM.
He said that 500 Aros were being built each year for the Irish market and that 1,000 would be built annually for sale in Britain, half the production of the Stonefield.
"We have one British dealer who has just written to us," said Mr O'Reilly, who added that the vehicle was being sold to major Irish users.
Fifty have been sold to the Trish army, according to an Harris has announced plans to Land Rover in Britain.
informed source, and Mr O'Reilly told CM that Harris had tendered to supply another 100.
The Electricity Supply Board in Dublin has one Aro for evaluation, but a spokesman told CM last week that it did not suit its operations as well as the Land Rover.
It has been in service for about six months, while the Irish Post and Telecommunications Board has only just bought three Aros, also for evaluation.
One of the postal vehicles will be used by the Ordnance Survey section, while two more are due to be commissioned by the engineering department. None has been used yet.
A large display held by Harris at Dublin's recent three-day Spring Show brought 50 sales of Aros within one week, said Mr O'Reilly.
He said that several repeat orders had been gained and that the sales coverage would be improved once more Eire dealers have been appointed.
He added also that sales of Hino lorries were "very good" in Ireland and that the Dublin plant was producing about 200 each month.
The company's plans to assemble Hinos at a site on Merseyside have been criticised severely by British manufacturers and trade unions.