Truck boom heads for record year
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• The current commercial vehicle sales boom shows little sign of abating, judging by the latest registration figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders — and industry pundits are predicting that 1988 will finish up as another record year for CV sales.
Despite the recent strikes at Ford and Renault Truck Industries, up to the end of April 117,096 trucks, buses, vans and 4x 4s had been registered, up 7.6% on last year. Sales in April alone were also up by more than 15% with all sectors of the market showing growth.
In the trucks and artics sector above 3.5 tonnes GVW (up 15% to 22,194) Iveco Ford is still in the lead with just under 25% of the market, based on 5,504 registrations to the end of April. Leyland Daf, however, is pushing hard. It currently holds a 21.9% stake (4,867). These two are well clear of third-placed Mercedes-Benz (UK) with 3,262 registrations up to the end of April, giving it a 14.7% share of the sector.
Volvo is steadily expanding its stake, which now stands at 10.6% (2,357), and this will increase further when the first F10 and F12 models start going down the line at Irvine.
The recent strike at Renault Truck Industries' Dunstable plant has caused RTI's registrations to fall back in 1988, but it is still in fifth place with a 6.6% stake (1,474).
FRF's phenomenal rise shows no sign of faltering. Its registrations are currently running 70% ahead of last year, and it has moved up into sixth place to take a 5.5% share (1,220 registrations). Scania is holding steady at 4.8% (1,060).
In the medium panel van market, Ford remains dominant with 41% (20,781 vans and pickups registered).
Ford is followed by Freight Rover with a reduced 11.4% stake (5,761) and Renault (UK) which has moved into third place to take a 7.9% market share (4,000)