Seddon refutes CAP price slide
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• Values of second-hand Seddon Atkinsons are collapsing, says Robert Reed, truck editor of the CAP Red Book used vehicle price guide. "Whatever price I put in the guide, everyone wants to pay less," he reports. "That would even be the case if I cut the values in half, although I'm not proposing to do so. Demand for the vehicles just isn't there."
Reed believes one of the problems is that the network doesn't seem prepared to stock and sell used models.
One of the secrets of maintaining strong truck residuals is to ensure as far as possible that used examples are sold primarily through the manufacturer's franchised network. "But Seddon Atkinsons are being given away," claims Reed.
It's a view strongly refuted by Dave Frankish, sales manager at Seddon Atkinson dealership Direct Commercial Sales of Brigg near Scunthorpe. "Seddon Atkinson is suffering no worse than any other make, and a lot of makes are doing much less well," he contends. "It's difficult to get Volvo F Ls underwritten at the moment, for example. "Buying Seddons doesn't frighten me, and I certainly don't have a problem selling them," he adds. "I think we compare favourably with FRF and Foden."
Frankish sells used Seddon Atkinsons all over the country. "I've just sold three to a customer in Scotland whom I've never even met," he remarks.
A spokesman for Seddon Atkinson says the make still has a strong image, and it isn't making trucks in vast numbers which should help residuals. SA assembles about Loco trucks annually at its Oldham plant—about 35 to 40% are destined for the municipal market.