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First October run's a belter

21th October 2004
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Page 71, 21th October 2004 — First October run's a belter
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Staff at Commercial Vehicle Auctions in Doncaster were all smiles as a hectic first auction in October made up for a belowpar September.

More than 250 lots went under the hammer with more than Lim (ex-VAT) taken at the window. Operations director Charlie Wright confirms that fresh faces, especially overseas buyers seeking export material. helped CVA achieve a 62% conversion rate and a strong start towards the traditionally strong Christmas rim-in.

"September wasn't what we thought it was going to be" Wright adds. "Everybody was expecting good things in September but it just didn't happen; in fact we had a better August. Even the trade guys were saying business was quiet and that the phones were dead. It seems the entire market has been quiet."

By contrast the first auction of October proved "to be a belter-. he adds. Stock levels at Doncaster have dropped recently from more than 370 to 310.

Fresh stock

Wright reckons there isn't as much deadwood around, with export buyers snapping up older stock for shipment or to be broken up, so choice has remained strong. The general age of stock up for grabs seems to be 2000-2002 with some 2003 stock available as well.

Top of the wanted list is Scania with the Topline cab. Wright highlights a 2000-registered 6x2 420hp that went under the hammer for £28,750;rnore than f4k over the book price."Topline does do the money," he remarks.

Interest in early 1998 to 2000-registered Daf XFs have tailed off from the days when traders, sellers and buyers couldn't get enough of the Dutch flagship motor. Wright has also noticed some 2001-registered CF tractors heading to Cyprus.

Two-axle tractors might be in demand but buyers are demanding the right spec, regularly phoning ahead to ask if any 4x2 tractors in a sale feature large fuel tanks.

Exporters are snapping up 8x4 rigids, including brick carriers, for conversion to tippers to cope with the shortage of tippers for domestic and overseas markets.

Flatbed trailers are in fashion at the moment; particularly triaxles. There were 25 flatbeds at the recent sale and they all went, regardless of their age.

The more recent examples will be earning their keep on steel and concrete work out of Yorkshire. •

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