Japanese imports up
Page 14
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• Importers are gradually increasing their share of the UK commercial vehicle market, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
In the first eight months of this year, importers took a 43.12% share of the market, compared with 41.30% in the same period last year.
Overall the market has changed little in size, with a total of 198,830 vehicles sold to August, compared with 198,402 last year over the same period.
Most of the British manufacturers have suffered a drop in their market share. For example, Ford's commercial vehicle sales are down 12.24% on last year, Rover Group's sales are down 3.37% (although Leyland Truck sales are up 5.25%), and Seddon Atkinson's sales are down 9.25%. The figures show that Leyland is maintaining its leadership in the market for vehicles of more than 3.5 tonnes.
Foden's sales so far this year are more than 18% ahead of last year's eight month figures, although the company's sales in the month of August were down on last year.
Bedford's sales have increased by 11.47% on the same period last year, but these gains have largely been made in the light vans market, with sales of trucks and articulated vehicles down from 4,294 to 3,744 vehicles. Ironically, Bedford's August sales figures for trucks and articulated vehicles show the company sold 130 more of these vehicles than last August. (See pages 4-5.) Of the large overseas truck manufacturers, MercedesBenz has fared best with total sales up 9.65% on the first eight months of last year. Sales of Mercedes trucks and articulated vehicles have increased from 4,326 vehicles in the first eight months of last year, to 4,948 vehicles this year.
The most dramatic increases in vehicle sales come from the Japanese manufacturers, with Nissan recording a staggering increase of 71.52%, and Toyota recording a 20.13% increase. Overall this year. Nissan has sold 6,933 commercial vehicles, compared with 4,042 in the first eight months of last year. The comparable figures for Toyota are 4,481 and 3,730 respectively. The doldrums in the bus and coach market appear to be continuing with most manufacturers showing a drop in sales compared with last year. Leyland Buses sales to August stand at 698 vehicles compared with 826 over the same period last year. Bedford has sold 11 more buses and coaches this year than in the first eight months of last year, but Ford has seen sales slump from 39 in the same period last year to just 18 so far this year and Hestair Dennis has sold 34 fewer units.
Volvo appears to have improved its bus and coach sales significantly, selling an extra 55 units so far this year.