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SAAB SCANIA says its production levels dropped by only eight per cent last year, and showed an increased penetration in many markets. World production fell by 20 per cent. BILL BROCK reports.
According to Scania, new registrations in the UK have been delayed by reduced freight traffic and the uncertainty on increased gross weight regulations. When the upturn in demands comes, it may have dramatic consequences for the commercial vehicle industry, as Scania expects new registrations within Europe to exceed the 1979 level by 1984.
Within the UK, Scania competes in weight classes of 16 tons, and above and claims 14 per cent of the tractive unit market, with 12 per cent penetration overall, but expects to improve this by three per cent in the coming year.
Type approval means that Scanias for Britain will be built in the Netherlands. The alternative would be for each vehicle from Sweden to be submitted for an individual certificate.
The company is still interested in purchasing a production and distribution facility in the United States. The market there has fallen from 180,000 to 100,000 units, placing many manufacturers in financial difficulties, and Scania has yet to find anything to suit. Indeed, it could have left it too late now that both Mercedes-Benz and Volvo have taken what might be described as the best pickings.
However, it has been suggested in some quarters that the long-term involvement of International Harvester, where production has dropped from 48,000 to 27,000 units a year, must appear to be in question.