Registrations up 5% for October, down overall
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• October showed further improvement in the UK truck market, with SMMT sales figures up by around 5% over the previous month, but overall sales are still down for 1997.
Among the larger manufacturers, only Leyland Daf showed an appreciable increase over last month's figures, selling 987 trucks to September's 838. It remains neck-and-neck with Iveco Ford for the market lead, but both firms have seen a drop in sales of over 15% compared with the year-to-date figures for 1996. Scania has overtaken Volvo's sales so far this year, although both Swedish firms are still showing a fall in sales for 1997.
The only truck builders to beat the downward trend this year are Dennis, ERF and MAN, whose gains of between 1% and 3% look impressive in the teeth of a 14.9% drop in the market.
In contrast, the light commercial (sub-3.5 tonne) market continues to flourish, with 10% growth for the year to date. Peugeot and Citroen have boosted sales dramatically, while smaller manufacturers (with new products such as the Seat Inca and the Skoda Cube Van) are also looking strong. Market leader Ford, too, is increasing sales.
Of the major I,CV manufacturers, only Renault has suffered a drop in sales, but this may end with the introduction of new models next year.