MECO/ FORD SHAKE-UP
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a For the hard-working operator a settled and efficient dealer support is essential, and truck manufacturers are well aware of its importance. This year's look at the medium-toheavy commercial vehicle dealer networks has been dominated by Iveco/Ford Truck's efforts to establish a single 115-strong group from the 161 dealers of the two organisations, and its reluctance to supply CM with details of those companies that have, or will have, the franchise.
Iveco/Ford has told CM that once various legal wrangles have been ironed out the complete list can be publicised. However, we have contacted the majority of both groups and, as far as we can establish, at least 96 have signed or have been pledged to the new company, and these have been listed under Iveco/Ford.
The majority appear to have come from Ford's former list, with Iveco's group bearing the brunt of the lossestCMJan 12, 1985). When the complete list has been finalised CM will publish an updated supplementary guide.
Bedford and Leyland with the largest dealer families remain as strong and widespread as ever. ERF, Foden, Seddon Atkinson and the importers, too, retain well-established networks of similar size, whose strengths lie in being strategically placed along the motorways and major trunk roads.
Our guide includes dealer support for the lighter end of the CV market, and this has excluded Nissan Ebro, which is no longer marketing vehicles above 3.5 tonnes GVW in the U(.