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148 
P REGISTRATIONS
Page 15
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Vehicle registrations likely to stay down in the doldrums until 2010
By Julian Manes
TRUCK REGISTRATIONS will continue plummeting until at least the second quarter of 2010, with a firm recovery unlikely to happen before 2011, according to a report by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Furthermore, registrations may not approach former equivalent volumes until 2014.
The report blames a sharp drop in freight transport demand and rising operating costs for constricting truck operators' willingness and capacity to buy new vehicles.
CV registrations tumbled in August, recording a 36,9% drop, with trucks suffering a 45% fall, while vans slumped by 36.9%. They are down for the rolling year by 43.5%, Worst affected on the heavy side was Volvo with a 63.5% drop in August, followed by Iveco (60,3%) and Renault Trucks (52.6%).
Owing to the downgraded sales and output expectations that have manifested throughout 2009, and the decline in recent volumes, the industry has been forced to reassess the situation. It's predicted that volumes may stay at exceptionally low levels for the next 12 to 18 months, while the medium-term outlook looks equally downbeat.
Tony Payne, OAF marketing director, says: 'We think the truck market above six tonnes will total 28,000 for next year, which has to be the lowest projection on record."