Another fall in sales
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THE MARKET for new buses and coaches this year is likely to fall by another 17.6 per cent, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders forecasts.
It anticipates that last year's market for around 3,4 0 0 vehicles will fall to around 2,800 this year as operators continue to display uncertainty about their future in a deregulated environment.
Any expansion in minibus operation will be reflected by a rise in registrations of medium/heavy vans and not purpose-built buses.
The SMMT's bus manufacturing members are becoming increasingly alarmed by the implications of the Transport Bill and are likely to increase their lobbying of MPs as the Bill passes through Parliament.
It is notable that one of the four Conservatives who voted against the second reading of the Bill last week was Charley MP Den Dover, whose constituents include Leyland Bus personnel.