August CV sales boom
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• Despite the first fall in truck registrations for more than two years last month, the market is reporting booming figures for August.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders says registrations for commercial vehicles over 3.5 tonnes rose 7.3% to 6,321 in the first 10 days of this month. Bus and coach registrations soared by 57% to 203.
All commercial vehicle sectors report a rise in registrations compared to the same period last year. Four-axle rigids rose 25% to 439 and three-axle rigids increased to 409 — a jump of more than 33%. Although it is still too early to say which manufacturers are benefiting most from this boom, Mercedes-Benz says it anticipates its registrations have risen by around 18% this month, At the dealer end, though sales are good, the underlying feeling is the market is weakening under the continuing pressure of high interest rates.
David Roberts, sales director of Mercedes-Benz dealer H & L Garages of South Killingholme, South Humberside says: "We're doing well, but living off sales we did two or three months ago. The market feels generally quiet, and I believe sales will taper off considerably towards the end of the year."