Expected sales surge ahead of Euro-6 in doubt By David
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Wilcox DESPITE A SURGE in new truck registrations in June it is still touch and go whether the widely expected spike in new sales ahead of the Euro-6 deadline will materialise.
Registrations of new trucks of 6 tonnes GVVV or more during the month were 19.7% up on the same month last year, according to the latest data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
However, a sluggish market earlier in the year means the first half total is 7.5% down on the same period last year, confounding market expectations of growth of around 9% for the year as a whole. That would take the market up from last year's 38,600 registrations to 42,000. If this forecast is to be realised, truck registrations during the rest of this year need to run 25% up on last year's second half total.
What is more likely is that some operators are taking advantage of the derogation to order late Euro-5 trucks before the 30 September build deadline, but will delay registration until next year. This means they avoid the Euro-6 premium, but their vehicle replacement cycle will not be quite so skewed.
The small amount of growth in the new truck market so far this year comes from tractor units, with registrations 1.2% up on the first half of 2012. In comparison, the market for rigid chassis of 16 tonnes GVVV or more remains in the doldrums, down by 15%.
However, the first half total of 133,000 vans is 11.2% ahead of last year's total at this point.