1984: hgv outlook is very pessimistic
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IGHT COMMERCIAL vehicle sales have picked up a good deal from le depths of 1981 and 1982. However, by historic standards they re still far below the levels which can sustain a vital manufacturing 9ctor, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders was told on uesday.
George Turnbull, president, lded that the situation for eavy vehicles is much more "Nobody buys a truck for motional or fashionable iasons," he said.
"Buying a heavy vehicle is a indamental and expensive Jsiness investment, one that is lade only when the buyer has )nfidence that there will be ork for it to do and a profit to .1 shown on that work.
"The improvement in the eco)rny, is very small indeed and e forecasts for 1984 from the Jcking sector remaind very .3ssimistic."
Mr Turnbull, who was idressing the SNIMT's banquet London's Hilton Hotel, said at taxation policy is still eventing operators from makg the most economic use of eir vehicles.
Mr Turnbull told former Secrery of State for Transport Tom ng that the Government must r to reduce the handicaps of e next taxation methods, partilarly the vexed question of )wn-licensing as against iwn-plating.
"I must make a plea to you to courage a re-think by the Gov ernment and your former department on this question because the current rules are restricting sales, adding to costs and placing an additional workload both on the truck industry and even upon your own officials.
"At times like these, the cost and workload this involves is extremely detrimental to our joint efforts to get our industry and the national economy onto a stronger footing," he said.
The SMMT looks to the Government to give the commercial vehicle industry a firmer foundation and a climate more conducive to sustained growth in the future.
"I know that as Secretary of State for Transport you had many competing claims, from all sectors of the transport industry, for your attention. And whilst in no way wishing to score points, I would point out that the UK is a road-transport based economy," said the speaker.
Mr Turnbull said he had been increasingly disturbed to learn that Britain consistently underspends the national budget allocated for roads. The £10 billion plus raised in taxation from road users represents over three times the amount actually spent on roads. He said that the environmentalist lobby has gained a lot of public sympathy over issues like the heavier lorry, because of the appalling state of some of our roads.
"The motorway system is supposed to be the main artery for road transport in this country. Actually, it is now suffering from an advanced state of thrombosis," Mr Turnbull said.
"The British Road Federation is doing a valiant job fighting for better roads, and we, at the SMMT, in conjunction with the BRF and other bodies, will continue to press for more resources to be devoted to roads.
"Here again, Sir, when the Chancellor is having his preBudget discussions, we ask for support for funds to upgrade and expand our woefully inadequate national and urban road network."