Sales slump goes on
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• The current slump in bus and coach sales shows little sign of abating. This is the message in the latest registration figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. During October, sales of PSVs at 108, were 38% down on the same month last year. Overall sales for the first 10 months of '87, at 1,744, are also running some 13% behind the same period last year.
Volvo is currently the topselling PSV builder with a 22.7 share, having sold 396 vehicles this year. Next is MCW which has had its sales boosted by orders for its MetroRider minibus. Sales of MCW vehicles at 372, are 77% up on 1986.
Double-deck builder Leyland Bus is having a harder time. Its overall registrations are down by some 53% this year compared to the same period for last year. Recent orders for new double-deckers, however, should go some way to helping the management-owned company stage a recovery.
Sales of Daf coaches within the Leyland Daf Bus organisation are also up. During the first 10 months of 1987 the company sold 372 vehicles to give it a 21.3% share of the UK PSV market. Scania, however, has suffered an 8% drop in its bus and coach sales so far this year, reducing its overall market share down to around 3%. Hestair sales during the first 10 months at 40, are also down.