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THE GRADUAL improvement in new commercial vehicle sales is reflected in the latest statistics from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
Overall sales last month rose by 7.1 per cent on April 1981, although imports are also up by 3.6 per cent.
Sales of all lorries and vans rose from 19,312 in April last year to 20,807, with imports rising from 5,702 to 5,633, and domestic manufacturers' sales from 13,610 to 14,974.
But truck and artic sales are still down overall, from 3,829 to 3,812, although imports rose from 903 to 1,175. Ford sales in this sector fell from 822 to 741 (five Dutch Transcontinentals included), Leyland fell from 670 to 533, Karrier (including 41 Renaults and two Spanish Dodge) rose from 505 to 513, and Bedford fell from 519 to 434.
Manufacturers with increased sales in this sector included DAF, Dennis, IVECO, MAN-VW, Mercedes-Benz, Scania, Seddon Atkinson, and Volvo.
Ford's Transit once again led the medium/heavy van sector, with 4,139 sales (up from 2,498) in a sector where sales overall rose from 8,491 to 9,759, but where imports fell from 3,363 to 3,215. Sherpa sales rose from 701 to 893.
Light van sales rose from 5,647 to 6,531, with British and foreign companies increasing sales. Light 4x4 sales dropped from 1,345 to 705.