Queues force up used tractor prices
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LATE-YEAR, low-mileage, used tractor units are in short supply, because hauliers faced with January 2005 delivery dates on some new vehicles are opting for recent secondhand trucks instead, according to independent dealer Martin Rhodes.
"As a result, demand for these vehicles is very buoyant," he reports. "They're making a bit of a premium and prices are edging close to what you would pay for new examples." Lee Smith, director of West Thurrock, Essex independent dealership Hanbury Riverside, agrees that demand is high. But he reckons there's still a significant difference -"to the tune of several thousand pounds"between new and late-used prices.
Nonetheless he's taken in a batch of 2002 Volvo FH12s and 2003 Volvo FM12s with Globetrotter cabs and 2002 Scania R124420s with Topline cabs to capitalise on this booming demand. "Nearly all of them arek2s for use at 44 tonnes," he says."We're not selling so many 4x2s these days, partly because fewer UK hauliers are doing European work."
Demand isn't limited to Scanias and Volvos. Graham Precious, used sales manager at MercedesBenz dealership H&L,says: "We're finding that late, low mileage Axors are commanding good prices.., buyers reckon they're value for money, and they like the fuel economy."