Registrations on 14-year high
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, Showing that last month's healthy truck sales figures were not totally due to the new '03 registration plate, the SMMT has recorded the second highest April figures ever, and the best since 1989.
The consistent market rise has caused the SMMT to revise its forecast for 2003 upwards to an increase of 3.6% on 2002.
Year-on-year figures show that three-axle tractors are up 35.7%, while three-axle rigids have Increased 16.1%, although four-wheelers from 7.4-15 tonnes GVW have fallen by 43%.
Most of the chassis makers have shared in the increase, with Volvo and Mercedes-Benz showing the biggest improvements, and lveco and Renault just about holding their own.
There's a similar story in the van world, with the larger vans making the biggest gains. Vauxhall continues to make the biggest Impression, its year-to-date figures up by over 60%.