The 32-ton market is growing
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by the technical editor • Figures for sales in the first six months of 1972 indicate that the market for 32-ton tractive units in the UK will increase by a third compared with 1971. The total could well be 8000 units.
The Continentals have increased their total sales but because of the growing market their share has stayed at about 20 per of the topweight models.
British Leyland accounts for about 33 per cent of max-weight attic sales this year, but if AEC, Guy, Leyland and Scammell are considered separately then Volvo's sales are sufficient to give it market leadership among 32-tonners.
ERF and Atkinson in particular have held their market shares by increasing sales.
Although foreign competition looks strong among 32-tonners, in the total market for goods vehicles over 5 tons unladen it is not yet significant. Volvo, for example, took only 5.6 per cent of this sector in the first six months of 1972.
Contrary to recent reports, this Swedish manufacturer does not have "18 per cent of the British truck market". ' In fact the strongest claim yet made in this respect was by Mr Bertil Bengtsson, Volvo marketing director, who said last month that his company planned to place 2200 heavy trucks in the UK this year, which meant a penetration of about 18.5 per cent of the max-weight artic market, though his total sales figure included six-wheelers as well.