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Too much

4th November 1977
Page 66
Page 66, 4th November 1977 — Too much
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

impacity

EHICLE manufacturers rare criticised by operators Pho are considering the orits of British as against )reign vehicles of giving ccess capacity that a haulier innot afford.

Reporting on a syndicate scussion, Neol Wynn told :legates that his group had ireed that there should be a Jick decision on the future eel of gross weights in Britain. "We don't want to buy Irdware we don't need," he id. "Operators cannot afford have vehicles bigger than )se they need — there is just t enough return."

The syndicate also asked the )nufacturers — some of whom :re present at the syndicate icussions — to start a system buying back used vehicles it they have sold new after a ed period of time at a fixed ce.

Mr Wynn commented that ) syndicate had come to ) conclusion that a haulier )uld not put "all his eggs in e basket" but should buy ferent makes of vehicles, "Any operator is well advised to keep the manufacturers on' their toes," he said. Any number of factors lead to the particular choice of vehicles; it could be that the drivers like a vehicle or the fitters are used to working on it or just that it is the best tool to do a job.

But the manufacturers also came in for criticism over what have become almost quarterly price increases.

"'These increases are completely unacceptable," said Mr Wynn. "Price rises are applied when delivery is delayed through not fault of the customer.

"What we want is fixed price contracts and guaranteed delivery dates," said Mr Wynn.

On after-sales service the syndicate thought that salesmen should maintain contact with the operators and not just "forget the haulier until it comes close to replacement time."

And the guarantee on a vehicle should also include some form of compensation for downtime incurred by the vehicle plus the cost of spares. "There was no marked decision one way or the other," said Mr Wynn. "We have to decide on the tool for the job — but this question of gross weights must be decided quickly."

RHA commercial committee chairman John Midgley told the conference that a committee is inquiring into the prices of vehicles and spares: "This 90day cycle of price rises must be investigated and stopped," he .said.

Mr F. G. East added that the big difference between British and foreign vehicles comes in the price of spares. "But if you want a part you do get it instead of a lot of silly answers from the British makers. The cost doesn matter too much as long as yo get the vehicle back on th road."

British Road Services chiE David White said that haulier should demand foresight fror the makers over the question e gross weights. "They shoul produce a vehicle with a lifespai to earn money — and we shoull also be looking for a bette technical performance from th, makers."

Mr J. Evans accused maker of indulging in "shee profiteering" over the price o spares and David Gartsidi called for a complete revisionio vehicle guarantees — and thi guarantors.


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