irucK saws art Truck registrations leapt 25% last month against
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the March 1997 figure as commercial vehicles continued their 1998 sales revival. According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, 4,777 trucks were registered in March, taking the yearto-date figure to 12,299—up 28% on last year's first quarter. Medium and heavy van sales were up 28% with more than 15,000 registrations in March; light van sales stormed ahead by 30% to top the 9,000 mark. Overall, CV registrations in the first quarter hit 76,573; up 16% on last year. The rental sector is also enjoying strong growth. A report by Marketline International shows that the UK van rental fleet grew 12.5% to 67,700 in 1997. This follows growth of 7% and 6.5% in 1995 and 1996 respectively. The research also shows that three main players—Northgate, TLS Group and Kenning— control more than half the van rental market.
The used vehicle market "must be ready for a roller coaster ride" when the March/September plate-change system is introduced next year, warns CAP. Its economic model of the twoplates-a-year market gives a "chaotic picture, characterised by three peaks interspersed with more extreme dips than are usually seen". Disposals will peak in January, June and September.