Marginal increase
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SALES of light commercial vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes have increased marginally so far this year compared to 1983, according to the most recent figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
Car-derived van sales rose from 49,149 to 50,098 in the first seven months of the year — an increase of only 1.9 per cent. Medium and heavy vans (including pick-ups) fared little better, climbing from 66,181 to 68,386 — a rise of 3.3 per cent. Light 4x4 vehicles sales also improved slightly from 6,371 units to 6,461, an increase of 1.4 per cent.
Ford remains market leader in the light van sector, although its sales have increased by little more than two per cent, from 15,670 to 16,009. Austin Rover retains second place, despite an 18 per cent drop, from 15,053 to 12,229, although the soon-to-belaunched Maestro van should improve the company's fortunes.
Third-placed Bedford has seen the greatest increase — 26 per cent — selling 1 1,9 99 vehicles in the first seven months of 1984, helped by sales of its Diesel Astra van. Bedford is confident that the new Astra van models (CM, Technical News, Aug 25) will increase its market share even further.
Peugeot Talbot holds fourth place despite a 4.8 per cent fall in the sales of its 305 van. Registrations are expected to rise again following the introduction of a new 305 GL van, as well as a five-speed gearbox on the 305 diesel.
Sales positions in the medium/heavy van sector (including pick-ups) are little changed, although market leader Ford is 2.9 per cent down in overall volume despite a 0.4 per cent rise in Transit sales. P100 pickup sales continue to drop from 4,111 units in 1983 to 3,142 in 1984 — a fall of 215 per cent.
Following the relaunch of its CF model range, Bedford has increased its market penetration by 12 per cent. This has been helped by Japanese KB pick-up sales, rising from 598 units sold up to the end of July 1983 to 808 in 1984. Freight Rover van sales have dropped by 6.6 per cent, but it retains third place.
European importers have shown significant increases, however, with fourth-placed Renault's sales rising by 59 per cent following a concerted sales campaign for its Trafic and Master vans. The company registered 4,064 vehicles, compared with only 2,541 for the same period last year. Peugeot Talbot has boosted its UK sales, recording rises of 26 per cent in 504 pick-up registrations and 28 per cent in Express vans.
Among the Japanese light vehicles importers only Mazda and Toyota, both of whom recently launched new models, showed any sales increases. Toyota sold 2,380 vehicles compared with 1,851 for the same period in 1983, an increase of 28 per cent.