B i g Japan drive in
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pick-up market
JAPANESE Pick-up manufacturers captured nearly one third of the 'total light commercial market in June helping to push the figure for imported vehicles to 15.9 per cent of commercial vehicles sales in June.
But in the British vehicle market, Ford has regained its leadership in the over 3.5 ton gvw sector while Leyland is claiming the lead in the 16-tonner market.
A Leyland spokesman told CM this week, that the company had sold more Buffalo vehicles in the first six months of 1977 than it did in the whole of 1976.
Leyland also claims to have doubled market penetration of the Marathon as well as 58 per cent of the six-wheel market, 23 per cent of the 16-ton sector and 33 per cent of the 14.5-ton two-axle rigid business.
Ford also claims increased sales over the first six months with 7,408 units in the heavy vehicle sector — a 13.4 per cent rise on the first six months of last year. And this includes a 21.4 per cent rise in D series sales.
Increases in sales of Transits and D series have hoisted Ford's market penetration to 31.6 per cent and pushed Leyland into second place.
Society of Motor Manufacturer and Traders figures show Ford in the lead, last month, with 1,311 sales, Leyland sold 1,228, Bedford 1,066 and Chrysler 390 heavy vehicle sales in June.
During June, Volkswagen led the importers' league with 440 registrations, but Datsun came a close second with 355.
Foden registration figures soared from 63, in June 1976, to 97 last month.