Record year for Foden
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• The success of Foden's 4000 Series helped make 1987 a record year for the Sandbach-based heavy truck builder, which reports that registrations for January to November 1987 "have passed the previous best year performance recorded in 1984".
Foden sold 655 trucks up to the end of November — an increase of over 23% compared with the same period in 1986 and now holds a 1.2% share of the truck and artic market above 3.5-tonnes, compared with 1.04% in 1986.
According to managing director Mark Pigott: "The last four month's figures show just how operators have warmed to our new model. After an initial period of evaluation following the 4000 Series launch in May, the market has given its verdict in the most positive fashion possible — with orders."
Pigott says that Foden has significantly increased penetration in all sectors "and remains dominant in the 6x4 tractive unit market with a 75% share. This progress keeps us on course to achieve our objective of a profitable 7-10% share of the UK commercial vehicle market above 24-tonnes GVW within the next five years." The rigid and artic builder currently holds a 2-3% stake at 24 tonnes and above.
Foden's parent company, US-truck builder Paccar, does not release financial figures for its UK CV subsidiary, but Foden says that profitability has improved during 1987. In addition to the 100 extra jobs created so far, says Pigott, "more new jobs are likely to become available in the new year as production levels are increased to satisfy forward orders."
He adds that more new products will also be introduced in 1988 "which will increase sales opportunities for our dealers, and given an even wider choice configuration of specification options."
Any new models are likely to be based on the current 4000 Series, but it is thought that Foden may introduce a twin-steer version of its 4000 tractive unit in 1988. While it remains committed to the 6x4 concept, Foden has extended its tractive unit range with the recent addition of a 4x2 tagaxle tractor, and a twin-steer 6x 2 would further improve its appeal among maximum-weight truck operators.