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Mercedes bucks the trend on extended lead times
Page 8
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Some manufacturers are unable to deliver new heavies until 2008 — but IV-B can build you a tractor by October. Andy Salter reports.
DESPITE A STRONG order book, Mercedes-Benz Trucks is bucking the current market trend towards extended lead times. M-B UK truck boss Ian Jones reports: "Our current quoted lead times for rigids is August production and for tractors we could build you one in October." This is in contrast to the majority of manufacturers, with many quoting delivery times into next year.
"There are some constraints regarding specific gearboxes or axles," Jones admits, "but most variants are available."
SMMT sales figures for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes GV'W for the first five months of 2007 reveal that the market is down nearly 35% on last year, although it should be remembered that truck sales in the first half of last year were distorted as everyone pulled forward their orders ahead of the digitach legislation.
While the figures don't look especially strong, Jones is nevertheless predicting a stable market for 2007: "I don't see any worrying signs of underlying problems. The UK has become extremely good at anticipating the economic issues and has developed the ability to iron out the peaks and troughs.
"The peaks and troughs in our industry in recent times have been caused by legislative issues, not economic ones."
Although the truck market is steady, the light CV sector continues to roll along at very high levels and Jones believes 2007 could be a record year for Mercedes vans: "Our biggest issue is getting enough vans from the factory in order to satisfy the orders. In 2004 we sold a record 27,381; with a fair wind, we should be able to top that this year.