Ad 'appalls' Leyland
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LEYLAND TRUCKS is complaining to the Advertising Standards Authority about a Bedford Commercial Vehicles advertisement which appeared in the Press last week.
The advertisement, which appeared in last week's CM and other newspapers, contrasted Bedford's increase of 2,544 commercial vehicle sales last year with a fall of 3,335 by Ford and a 6,108 fall by "Leyland".
The advertisement quoted Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders figures.
A letter sent to editors by Leyland Trucks managing director Les Wharton said the company was "appalled" by the "most misleading" advertisement, and pointed out that Leyland Trucks increased its sales in 1984.
He added: "I must point out that in 1984 Bedford trailed behind Leyland in third place and never once came close to overtaking us."
The disagreement appears to have risen because Bedford, which uses one brand name for all of its commercial vehicle range, has used "Leyland" to describe the products of Leyland Trucks, Ley'and Bus, Freight Rover, Land Rover and Austin Rover.
Austin Rover's car derived van sales last year fell by 6,484, against an increase of about 1,500 registrations by Bedford with its Astra van.
A Bedford spokesman said the company was looking at the future of the advertisement in light of Leyland's complaints and was awaiting a communication from the ASA.