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Mixed signals from market
Page 24
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Truck sales are among the best for some time, but there are reports that some areas are experiencing a softening of the market.
MAN FACTURER'SVIEW John Baker, Truck sales and marketing director, Vercedes-Benz We now have two thirds of the year behind us and I am glad to see that the truck market, in terms of registrations, is continuing to show reasonable growth. In fact, the market above six tonnes is more than 5% up on the same period last year, Our expectations are that the total truck market above six tonnes looks to hit around 52,000 registrations in 2005. As such, it is the biggest market for some time.
All sectors are holding up and it is interesting to note that, despite all the predictions, 7.5 tonne remains the second largest sector and is still showing slight growth on the previous year. Construction vehicles, particularly three axles, are up almost 15% and it's also interesting to see that within a tractor market that has grown some 7.4% overall, two axles have grown by more than 22%.
Some of the long lead times that have been very evident over the past 12 months or so are beginning to ease. Some of the signals we are receiving from the market at the moment are mixed, with some areas reporting a softening market while others remain quite buoyant.
Looking ahead, the issues of digital tachographs and exhaust emissions are on the horizon. The digital tachograph situation is as complex as ever, but clarification is expected by the year end. However, I have pad £38 for my driver's card and received it; all I need now is a truck with a digital tachograph to drive!
On the emissions front, Euro-4 emissions legislation hits us next October and between now and then the EGR/SCR debate will no doubt continue.
However, high on the agenda will remain the ever-increasing price of fuel, which will once again focus attention on operating costs and fuel efficiency.