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Mixed views on boom future

9th June 2005, Page 8
9th June 2005
Page 8
Page 8, 9th June 2005 — Mixed views on boom future
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INDUSTRY PUNDITS have played down warnings that the truck sales boom may be running out of steam.

On the face of it the latest SMMT sales figures show a thriving market— sales of trucks above 3.5 tonnes GVW are up 4.85% compared with the same period last year and sales are 15.85% up for the month of May. But there are fears that these could mask an underlying weakness The SMMT in particular is forecasting that the market will decline in the second half of this year. "These figures are great news," says SMMT chief executive Christopher Macgowan."But beneath the froth there are some mixed messages.

"Many of the trucks were sold before the end of last year with a typical sale-to-registration time lag," he points out. "This autumn's truck registration figures may show the effects of an electionbased wobble in business and consumer confidence this spring."

By contrast Scania's marketing and rental directorAndrew Jamieson remains much more optimistic about the market: "Based on our current order book there's nothing to suggest the market is cooling," he reports. "Our order intake is actually improving."

Scania's year-to-date sales are down 3.5% on the same period last year, while Daf maintains its yearto-date market leadership with another strong showing.

Mercedes is in second place with Iveco third. Highest climber among the registrations is Volvo. It now commands 12.8% of the market — up a massive 31.7% over the same period last year.

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