Output down but Britain's No.1
Page 6
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
BRITAIN stood up to the recession in the commercial vehicle market better than any other country and emerged as number one producer and exporter in Europe, says SMMT president Sir William Batty.
Sir William was giving his last annual report to the society's agm yesterday (Thursday), before his retirement as president after 46 years in the society.
"We 'are forecasting a 13 per cent boost next year, but whether this will be achieved must depend more than a little on the improvement in the British economy and the effects of Government transport policy and taxation decisions," he said.
But despite the position there has been a drop in the numbers of trucks built and sold. Output of trucks is now the lowest since 1959 and sales are the lowest since 1963.