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Vans make the making industry
Page 22
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COMMERCIAL VEHICLE production in the UK has changed markedly over the last decade, but it also varies from quarter-to-quarter and month-to-month, as these newly released tables from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders ( SM MT) illustrate.
But ligures for the last couple of years have held up surprisingly well despite main ERF production moving to Germany, and Seddon Aticinson's production moving to Spain. But the main factor behind the consistent. or even rising figures is the strength of the van market, which continues to perform well, although it has fallen slightly in recent months.
CV production falls
The latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show that year-todate commercial vehicle production in the UK was down 0.4% by last August compared with the same period in 2002.
However, strong domestic demand helped UK plants to offset the effect of weaker Continental demand.
The SMMT says commercial vehicle output in August tell 20% against the same month last year. But chief executive Christopher Macgowan points out that trends over the past three and six months show that the sector is holding 2002's positive outcome, up 10.2% anc 1.8% respectively.
"Rigid and artic production held up well," he adds, "despite the 1,300-plus loss of ERF and Seddon Atkinson volumes.
Asi year's light CV growth spot has faded somewhat in recent months, especially in August as holidays and some refocusing mad€ a mark. We think full-year volumes will hit the 195,000-unit mark."
European fuel prices
The UK remains by far the most expensive European country in which to buy diesel. According to figures from The International Road Transport Union the gap between the UK and its Continental neighbours continues to grow with the price of UK diesel at €1.12/lit (79p/lit) compared with Luxembourg, the cheapest country in the EU at €0.61/iit (42p/lit) Outside the EU Eastern Europe remains a popular refuelling point; in Poland diesel costs just €0.59/lit (41 pit).
UK fuel prices
During September fuel prices continued to rise throughout the UK with further hikes expected as the government raises fuel duty and OPEC cuts oil production; sparking rumours of fuel protests.