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13agg ge.e.3 Ike cob bubbk

11th March 1977, Page 55
11th March 1977
Page 55
Page 55, 11th March 1977 — 13agg ge.e.3 Ike cob bubbk
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Many people, including myself, have highlighted the prohibitive costs of new vehicles, costs which rise on average, every three months. Very little thought seems to be given about the operator or the anti-inflatioo Bill, and the Government, itself a manufacturer, probably turns a blind eye to such increased costs, disregarding the inevitable effect on future transport costs. Despite efforts made by private enterprise to survive the onslaught of rising costs, the bubble will burst. It will happen as soon as vehicles purchased between 1971 and 1974 are run into the ground by operators who are either ignorant of the true costs of purchasing and maintenance tippers especially), or so subdued by present trading conditions, they just don't care Many operators, for various reasons, have been purchasing foreign trucks, mainly tractive units for hard road work, and now a number of them are moving towards the purchase and operation of imported tippers.

This they will find is a very different kettle of fish, as tippers do not wear out gracefully but are thrashed to death over a short period, due to the rough type of work they do. They will also require possibly three times as many 'spares during their lifetime.

When vehicles increase in price, it follows that the costs of spare parts also increases, not only for the newer types, but older models as well. This is due to the monopoly system that exists in the manufacture and supply of parts, about which operators have very little control. They simply have to pay up.

I seriously suggest that those responsible for the purchase of new vehicles should demand a spare parts price list from manufacturers, and carefully study them prior to placing orders. Those who refuse to supply one should be shunned until they will.

Whilst we would all wish to have a three-year renewal programme, this is becoming more of a pipe dream than ever. I forecast that the larger part of operating costs will be on the repair side, involving more and more the purchase of spare parts, just in order to continue giving a service at very low rates.

British manufacturers could win this race if only they would pay attention to the availability of spare parts, and make every' effort possible to control prices generally.

Operators could take a load off their minds by charging proper and realistic rates for the job, and customers should listen sympathetically. If this does not happen, then within a three-year period, there will be very few family business people left with whom customers can argue or domineer, and when that happens it will be the customer who suffers the consequences.

RHA secretaries would be well advised to have the spares and repairs question put on their next agenda, if only to inform and warn members of the trap they are falling into by neglecting this very important issue.

R. R. WILSON M. A. Wilson and Sons Ltd, Dunfermline.

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