Britain's triple truck success
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BRITAIN made, exported and bought more trucks than any other European country last year. This heartening news was given by Sir William Batty, president of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, in Amsterdam on the eve of the international commercial vehicle show.
He said : "Britain comes to this major European exhibition as the undisputed Number One in Europe." In the previous year Britain was No 2 to France in output, No 3 behind France and Germany in exports and second to France in domestic sales of commercial vehicles.
Sir William said 1975 had been a very difficult year right across Europe: in the four biggest markets (Britain, France, Germany, Italy) total goods vehicle sales were down by 12.4 per cent in the first 11 months, and output was down 10 per cent. But British output only fell by 4i per cent, and cv exports went up by 12 per cent.
In the full year of 1975, British van exports rose by 61 per cent in value, medium/ heavy trucks by 75 per cent and commercial vehicles over 10 tons gvw by 114 per cent— to £130m.
Sir William asked that a common axle weight limit— whether 10.5 tunnes or 11 tonnes—should be agreed quickly throughout the EEC, and that there should be standardisation on a gvw which would enable fully loaded 40ft containers to be carried. Future EEC prosperity depended on an efficient and economic transport system.
He criticised the "inappropriate haste" to harmonise vehicle and fuel taxes, which really meant inflationary increases. He added : "Governments must take on board the message that the public benefit today lies in less taxation, not more."
Figures released last week show that cv imports into Britain fell by Elm to £91m last year, while exports were £428m. Exports of parts and components topped £1,000m for the first time.
Production of home-market commercial vehicles is likely to rise by 5.6 per cent this year, says the "Motor Business " (4th Quarter 1975) forecast of The Economist Intelligence Unit. But export production is expected to fall by about the same amount.
1976 is seen as a good year for vans and trucks up to 3.5 tons gvw as companies begin to replace delivery vehicles. Middleweight trucks are not expected to do well, as there is much spare capacity.
Artie sales up to 28 tons gcw are expected to total 3,200 units.