Dealers supped move up to 44-tonne trucks
Page 14
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• Truck dealers have come out in support of calls for an increase in the current 38-tonne weight limit on commercial vehicles—even if it means they sell fewer lorries.
It is estimated that the introduction of 44-tonne vehicles could take 9,000 trucks off the road—a reduction of nearly 15%. But the truck council of the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) says it is prepared to support the move if it is for the long-term good of the industry.
"Lorries have proved themselves as an efficient and effective mode of delivery, but we can't escape the fact that they
are unpopular," says council chairman Mike Mud ie. "Increasing the payload would mean less vehicles on the road in the long run and if that means fewer truck sales, then so be it." In fact many dealers believe that 44-tanners would result in larger distribution centres, boosting demand for smaller distribution vehicles.
The limit will be increased to 40 tonnes in 1999 as part of EU harmonisation, but a consultation paper on raising the limit to 44 tonnes is expected to be published by the Government by the end of this year.
0 Around half of the UK's truck manufacturers and importers have turned down an invitation from dealers to hammer out differences on issues such as published price lists, aftermarket