BEDFORD
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1. With the expansion of motorway urban expressways, we expect to see s and fairly substantial growth in the volui goods carried by road over the next de With the commercial vehicle m expanding at an annual unit rate of ab per cent, there is some indication that of the extra tonnage will be absorb, bigger unit loads.
2. Bedford middleweights — 7-12 ; ton — have a strong market base in Europe we will initially be looking for fast growth in this category. The CF van rat now making really worthwhile advances European market. And we certainly ma the opportunities that the trend to I payloads will provide.
In the Benelux countries where Gi Motors is particularly well represented see continuing strong potential, but v% planning to break a lot more new groJ France, Germany and Italy. Transcontil traffic will continue to grow at a rapic emphasizing the vital need for first service facilities in every European co Bedford is already well-placed in this re but service will be further improved si wherever a truck travels it will be range of a really adequate service point.
3. We believe the broad pattern of groupings is already pretty well establ though there will be some less sign merging of interests in the next few yea 1980, it is probable that 95 per c( European truck production will be accr for by a small number of major product the commercial vehicle field, however, will probably always be an opportuni smaller manufacturers, concentrati specialist vehicles.
4. There is nothing much wrong, we with the current EEC recommendatio gvw and axle weight limits. But unif throughout Europe matters more individual manufacturers' views — Sc keep urging our representatives to strivi common approach to the problem.
5. As its many benefits become more recognized, we think automatic transm right through the weight range, is Ilk come into widespread use.
As more emphasis is placed on performance rather than just "po alternatives to the piston engine wil receive more attention. Gas turbir particular are likely to be in use significant scale, especially for long-di operation.