CV sales soar higher
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• The commercial vehicle sales boom has continued into 1989. February sales were 8.77% ahead of 1988 at 31,450 — and the January/February total is up more than 21%.
Market leader Iveco Ford has extended its lead over Leyland Daf by boosting its January/February sales over 3.5 tonnes by 21.45% to 2,752. Leyland Des sales were up 17.45% to 2,503.
Mercedes-Benz and Volvo are holding on to third and fourth positions in the market (both increased January/ February sales by more than 20% over 1988 levels). But ERF has stormed past Scalia and Renault to take the fifth biggest market share over 3.5 tonnes, selling 763 trucks to boost its sales by 40.51%.
Scania sales were up 32.37% to 740 trucks, but Renault sales fell by 3.8% to 703, leaving it in seventh place. Sales of MAN trucks rose 27.37% in the first two months of the year to 591 vehicles: Seddon Atkinson sales climbed by only 8.3%, despite the appearance of the Strato.
Sales of AWD trucks are now included in the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders figures. In the first two months of 1989 the British newcomer sold a total of 177 trucks. This year it plans to sell 3,000 civilian trucks in the UK and abroad.
At the light end of the market, between 1.8 and 3.5 tonnes, Ford's Transit continues to dominate. Sales in the first two months of the year rose 17.5% to 12,463 vehicles.
Freight Rover Sherpa sales were up 11.5% to 2,803; Renault sales rose 4.38% to 2,022 vehicles. Sales of 1,500 vans gave Nissan fourth place, despite a fall of almost 16% from January/February 1988.