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Sales head for new record
Page 22
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CV REGISTRATIONS are running at record levels, with 29,207 units registered in April up 3% on April 2003. Rolling-year registrations are also at an all-time high of 372,100, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). "Sustained growth is a theme that has underlined the new CV market over the past 18 months," says SMMT chief executive Christopher Macgowan. "Annual
volumes are rising and are on course to top historic record levels set in 1989. April's strong registration figures point to further growth, although momentum has eased slightly."
He warns that interest rate rises could temper further progress. However, "if the cautious, incremental approach continues, the market's current health need not be undone," he concludes. Van sales
Light commercial vehicle registrations were particularly healthy in April, up 4.9% compared with April 2003 and 8.4% for the year to date compared with January-April 2003.
Main growth is in the medium and heavy van sectors (1.8-3.5 tonnes GVW), where registrations have risen by 6.5% year on year. Heavy vans (2.6-3.5 tonnes GVVV) showed the biggest growth in market share, with a 9.7% increase in April and 16% for the year to date. Truck sales
Truck registrations are up 1.4% for the year to date, but dipped to 5.2% in April. Annualised registrations are close to 56,000, but in recent months the pace of growth has slowed. Three-axle artic registrations are up 12.1% year on year, while the market for two-axle attics has fallen by 36% in the same period. Fuel costs
Fuel costs are rising throughout the EU as a perception that oil supply cannot keep up with demand fuels another jump in prices around the world. US crude futures are now within five cents a barrel of their all-time high.