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EDITORIAL

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20th September 1974

Page 71

Page 71, 20th September 1974 — EDITORIAL

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On show — and on sale

Earls ( our as never seen a finerline-up of heavy trucks than will be revealed at today's opening of the Commercial Motor Show, and there are new and significant exhibits at most other levels of vehicle and equipment too. Britain has become a truly international market in which Continental manufacturers are spending heavily to woo the I'K operator,

Already strong in light and medium trucks and passenger vehicles, Britain now has the heavies to challenge the Contenentals. but can she build them? For many operators the gleaming evidence of higher performance and enhanced cab comfort will simply cause frustration — the frustration of being unable to get even the older models, which may have been ordered nearly two years ago. Materials, components and essential accessories are short, and British makers have been keeping export markets supplied, often at the expense of home buyers. Exports are national economic lifeblood, but even some hitherto 90 per cent British fleets are now being driven into the arms of the importers. That is how the Scandinavians first gained the foothold which they have so successfully exploited.

There is still doubt whether parts supply will increase enough to enable vehicle makers to hit their expansion targets next year — but the expected 1975 business recession could persuade operators to cut demand. We hope they won't succumb to this temptation: much of the present backlog stems from cancellations during the previous recession and many fleet managers have learned the hard way that old vehicles cost more to maintain, earn less and don't attract good drivers. They should have accumulated enough evidence to convince the toughest accountant that — as speakers at CM 's Conference this week envhasited -it pays to stick to a sound buy ing policy through hick and thin.