IN-B heads October sales
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• Figures so far this year indicate hauliers will buy more new trucks this year than in 1992, despite an 8.5% drop in registrations during October.
Last month 2,863 trucks and artics were registered in Britain, a 267 reduction on the same month last year. But the decrease did not prevent the year-to-date sales at 30,314 being 14.4% up on 1992, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. And vans, traditionally the last sector to improve, are also picking up.
The S1VIMI estimates that by the end of the year sales of truck and artics over 3.5 tonnes will be up at least 8% on 1992 at 34,000 units. And it predicts the trend will continue next year with sales increasing another 14% to 39,000 units. But this would still be down on the heyday of 1989 when more than 60,000 trucks and artics were registered.
Mercedes-Benz took pole position during October for only the third time ever, with 654 units compared to 530 last October. In second place was Iveco Ford which followed with 530 units and leads for the year to date. Commercial vehicle sales, including trucks, buses, coaches and vans were up 4.4% at 16,148 during October. Although year-to-date figures at 169,359 were down 2.2% on the year before at 173,111.