North West is winner
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Leyland Daf dealer North West Trucks has won the marques approved used dealer of the year award.
It is the first time the firm has scooped the accolade, says sales manager, Stuart Thornton, but it was runner-up in 1998.
With sites at Huyton on Merseyside and Northwich in Cheshire, the company sells 200-300 used trucks a year, says Thornton.
Prices have fallen, and trading was quiet during the summer, but he believes there is still a market out there; and not all buyers of second
hand tractor units want 450hp-plus on tap. "The majority of people are still looking for about 360hp, and there are plenty of those vehicles available," he says. "If everybody wanted 500hp, we'd struggle to meet the demand."
There is still a requirement for 4x2 tractors, although the increase in maximum gross weights earlier this year seemed to propel the market towards 6x2s.
"Most operators are sticking at 38 tonnes," Thornton says. "After all, loads are getting bulkier and lighter rather than more dense."