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Sales are strong in a polarising market
Page 20
Page 21
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Following last week's analysis of the overall truck and van registrations for 2003, Andy Salter takes a closer look at the individual market sectors.
Multi-wheelers
THE MULTI-AXLE RIGID has traditionally been the domain of the construction sector, although there were clear signs last year that while that remains true for eight-wheelers, the six-wheeler sector is increasingly becoming the domain of 6x2 distribution trucks. According to Iveco, 60% of six-wheeler sales were 6x2s. In the past these would probably have been 4x2 rigids, but as users become more specialised they are requiring a specific vehicle to do a heavy distribution job.An extra axle gives a sizeable boost in carrying capacity without too much of a rise in taxation.
The eight-wheeler sector remains construction-focused and, with public spending set to continue, there is little indication that this will contract in the coming months. Daf has snatched top spot from Scania in the multi-wheeler sector with a massive 27.7% increase in sales, thanks to significant growth in the 6x2 rigid sector. Scania tops the eight-wheeler market, but both Volvo and Daf with their new products have had strong growth in this sector with sales up 42.8% and 29% respectively. Of the also-rans Mercedes has performed well in eight-wheelers. although this is due to it having few eight-wheelers to sell in 2002. Renault also did well in tippers in 2003, having managed to shave some weight from the Kerax.
Tractors
THIS SECTOR HAS been flying for the past 10 years or more and is now the single biggest sector of the market above 3.5 tonnes.
The reasons are clearly linked to the growth in retail distribution, where artics have proved by far the most efficient means of getting goods delivered. Following all the shenanigans of road tax back in the late '90s the sector went through a big change with a shift from 4x2s to 6x2s.This has now settled down to 4x2 tractors responsible for 40% of the registrations, with 6x2s and a tiny minority of 6x4s accounting for the remainder. The tractor market in 2003 showed a hefty 12.3% rise in registrations, with Scania and Volvo benefiting most from the rise in the sector. Daf saw its leadership eroded somewhat and now leads the tractor market by just 0.1% over Scania.
Daf is comfortably ahead of the market in 4x2s. but has been overtaken by Scania in the 6x2 sector. Foden and Iveco have both shown considerable market growth.
Foden's 4x2 Alpha tractor appears to be making inroads into the fleet sector, while the Iveco Stralis is building a following, particularly as a three-axle tractor. For 2004 Iveco has said it wants to be challenging MAN and ERE for fifth and sixth spot respectively.
Biggest losers in the tractor sector have been MAN and Seddon Atkin MAN suffered badly, dropping some 21 compared with 2002 and some 33.5% be] the market shift; Seddon Atkinson's inten to pull out of the mainstream tractor mark confirmed by its market performance.