Truck sales slide
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COMMERCIAL vehicle sales plunged by almost a fifth in January compared with the same period 12 months ago.
And figures released this week by the Society of Motor Manufacturers a n d Traders show that the importers' share of the market moved up from 11 per cent to 13 per cent.
This news comes only a few days after it was announced that Britain had become the number one European maker, exporter and buyer of trucks and that imports into this country had taken a nose dive.
All the major British manufacturers sold fewer vehicles last month than January 1975. But British Leyland and Ford both increased their slice of the market — to 31 per cent and 31.4 per cent respectively. Bedford's share fell from 20 per cent to 16.15 per cent and Chrysler also dropped back from 6.5 per cent to 6.1 per
cent.
The market for vehicles over 31 tons was 13 per cent down at 4,398. Sales of British heavies at 3,596 were 16 per cent lower, but imports were up by 12.5 per cent to 602.
Hardest hit was that for light vehicles up to 34 tons other than car-derived vans and pick-ups. This market was 23 per cent down at 7,063 with British sales down by 25 per cent and imports cut by 9.8 per cent.