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Steyr imports to cease
Page 8
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• Steyr Trucks (UK) — Steyr's wholly-owned UK importer — is to close.
The operation has been run for just over a year from its Milton Keynes base, headed by former Scania marketing director Cliff Groves. It will shut down early next year with the loss of 19 jobs.
Sales of Steyr chassis already produced for the UK will continue through their UK dealer network, whose future is still to be decided. Steyr Nutzfahrzeuge AG, the new joint company formed by MAN and Steyr Daimler Puch, will concentrate on production for the Swiss and Austrian markets, and eventually UK imports will cease.
"It was my baby and I am very sad it will no longer be in existence," says Groves. "Everyone says it is an excellent product. All the roadtests say it is one of the best vehicles in terms of economy and reliability." There are over 100 right-hand-drive Ste STS in the UK awaiting registration.
After-sales service and parts will be handled through Steyr dealers for the time being, but administration will gradually be transferred to MAN at Swindon. Steyr Trucks (UK) will talk to its 17 UK dealers in a bid to sort out franchise arrangements.
The dealers are disappointed the product they have spent a year promoting will be taken from them: "We spent a year doing groundwork and demonstrations and we were looking forward to a year of hcige sales, and capitalising on the investment we made," says Michael Hanson, chairman of the Steyr Dealer's Association.
"It would not have been so bad if it had only been an average product, but it stood out in a mundane truck world and all the dealers thought it had a bright future in the UK. If they had waited one more year, I am sure their decision would have changed," says Hanson, managing director of Blackburn-based Hanson Trucks.
Peterborough-dealer Meo and Gilbert has sold 16 Steyrs during 10 months as franchisee: "It is sad for us, Steyr and the UK," says joint director Sam Meo.
Wells Commercials of Croydon will concentrate on its workshop and expanding hire fleet, but will be disappointed if it loses the Steyr franchise. "We were just getting off the ground, after a lot of hard work," says managing director Stan Wells.
All Steyr operators have been sent a letter from managing director Cliff Groves guaranteeing that MAN will take responsibility for service, warranty and parts supply.
John Hardy, director of Hereward Freight, says: "It is a shame because it is a good vehicle. However, operators may benefit from a possible larger MAN dealer network."