• The fortunes of the Rover Group's ailing truck and
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bus subsidiary have remained gloomy all year, despite improved truck sales in Britain.
The company made a net loss of ,E102.7 million during 1985, compared with a loss of ,£60 million the previous year, During the first six months of 1986 Leyland Vehicles' operating losses rose to 227.5 million while its sales revenue fell by 14% to £174 million.
Yet Leyland finished October in second place in the UK heavy truck market with a 4.7% rise in sales, giving it a 17.1% share of the market. This represents sales of 874 vehicles — 18.4% up on the previous October.
Despite this increase, however, the company's profitability was once again hit by poor export sales.
By contrast Foden looks set to double its profits in 1986.
Latest figures show the company has sold 485 trucks so far this year compared with 414 last year; a rise of 17.1%.