Magirus exports rise to 63 pc
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MAGIRUS-DEUTZ'S annual report for 1981 reveals the extent to which the German member of IVECO has been affected by the market recession for vehicles of over five tonnes gvw.
Truck production fell by 1,500 units to 16,648 while domestic sales fell by 9.4 per cent. Light and medium-weight models retained their position in German registrations but the market share of heavies fell from 11.8 per cent in 1980 to 9.4 per cent last year.
To some extent these figures were compensated by the growth of the export share to 63 per cent of total turnover (1980=58). The export activities included 3,752 vehicles shipped to IVECO partners in France and Italy as well as completion of an order for 1,000 chassis for Algeria. An order of similar size from Egypt was also included in the export total.
The dismal showing in bus sales — the reduction in export orders amounted to over 34 per cent — accelerated the decision to close the Mainz psv plant.
Although production of firefighting vehicles — a continuing speciality of Magirus-Deutz — slumped from 684 units to 507 in 1981 (representing a reduction of turnover of 24.5 per cent) the company has been able to increase its share of this market sector. The marque now supplies 65 per cent of all turntable ladders built in Germany.