Front-line wheels at Ambex
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Britain's front-line medical services took centre stage at Harrogate last week when the industry showed off some eye-catching ambulances.
Mercedes' Sprinter and Ford's Transit dominate in an A&E (accident and emergency) market worth more than 500 chassis a year; but Renault heads the welfare and patient transfer sector, which is just as big.
This multi-million-pound prize has tempted Irish, French, US and even Australian manufacturers to toss their hats into the ring.
Many NHS Trusts have failed to make best use of residuals: being strapped for cash they have been drawn into tight business practices that involve contract-hire specialists like Ryder and Automotive Leasing.
The Trusts are also making greater use of factory-fitted and converted rear air suspension to improve the ride and allow vehicles to kneel for better patient access.
Despite the strong pound exports are a real bonus for UK manufacturers, bodybuilders and component suppliers including UVG, Granning, Drinkwater Engineering and Dunlop, which even supplies Isuzu in Japan.
Show newcomers included Dorset-based Vaile & Co and, rather a long way from home, Jakob of Tamworth, New South Wales.