DAF to revise truck market predictions
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STRONG SALES through the irst quarter of 2011 have caused DAF Trucks to revise its prediction for the UK truck registrations.
After a record low of 27,500 trucks over 6 tonnes sold last year, signs of recovery through the tail end of the year suggested 2011 was on course for 33,000 units, says DAF Trucks MD Ray Ashworth.
Speaking at the CV Show, he says: “Our own intake would indicate some further improvement from that level and we see 2011 being in the order of 36,000 units, with tractors leading the way out of recessionary times.” The tractor market, according to Ashworth, is up more than 200% so far in 2011, compared with the same period last year.
“The market is strong; [DAF] order intake is four times that of the irst quarter 2010, and orders are up 35%,” he adds.
Operators are showing interest in the DAF Hybrid (pictured left), and the manufacturer exhibited its diesel/electric-powered LF45.160 EEV 12-tonne Hybrid at the show. “It is now in production at Leyland and so far we’ve demonstrated this latest version to more than 20 leets.
“We’re beginning to sign leasing deals with a number of early adopters, but clearly pricing will remain an issue in the absence of low carbon incentives for conventional hybrids that promise up to 20% reduction in fuel used and CO2 output,” Ashworth adds.