A MERICAN lorry manufacturers are forecasting that the present boom in
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sales will continue this year, with the tendency for hauliers to buy heavier outfits which can carry more freight at relatively little added cost.
There are, however, misgivings in some quarters that large purchases of equipment in recent months may be reflected in this year's sales. Nevertheless, a survey made at the American Trucking Association's convention in New York indicated that, while 75 per cent of hauliers spent more on equipment last year than in 1964, some 60 per cent still plan to purchase more lorries, tractors and trailers in 1966 than they purchased last year.
US manufacturers sold about 1.5 m. lorries in 1964, compared with 1.4 m. in 1963 and 1.2 m. in 1962. Currently, sales are running 6.5 per cent above 1964 rates.
Order books are full. White Motor Co., of Cleveland, reports unfilled orders worth 67 per cent more than a year ago, and expects last year's sales to be 10 per cent above the figure of £196,690,000 for 1964.
Mack Trucks, Allentown, Pa., meanwhile states that its backlog of orders is now double the level it was this time last year.
Ford Motor Co. has announced domestic sales for the first nine months of 1965 amounting to 394,966 units, compared with 343,604 units for the corresponding period of 1964.
Backing the producers' optimism is the growing tendency among hauliers to trade in their equipment earlier, as a means of saving on maintenance costs.
For instance, Spector Freight Inc., a large concern based in Chicago, has decided to allow a maximum "life" of four years for its inter-State equipment, instead of the 5-6 years allowed hitherto.