Quick turnaround needed for export
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THE EXPORT MARKET is experiencing a slowdown, as trade buyers focus only on those chassis that can be turned around quickly, says George Alexander, editor of Glass's Guide.
"Undoubtedly destined to go overseas, Mercedes-Benz Actros and Scania tractor units up to 10 years old are making good money," he says. "Unusually, there is more weakness to be found surrounding younger tractor units and, although the star players still shine through, many lots only sell provisionally after generating little interest."
In the two-axle rigid market, anything up to three-year-old, 18-tonne boxes, flats and curtainsiders are doing well. "Older chassis will require a smart body if they are to catch the buyers' eye," he says. "Over recent months, demand for multi-axle chassis has, at best, been treading water, instead, serious interest is being directed towards most 6x4 and 8x4 examples."
Sentiment for 75-tonners is mixed, he says. "All too often, numerous examples of chassis are dumped onto a distressed marketplace, which then leaves trade buyers fully in control of the outcome." •