Used vehicles boosts sales
Page 11
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
by Kathy Watson
• Commercial vehicle sales rose by 7% in 1993 reaching a value of £3.1 billion, says an industry report. The boost was helped by increased sales of secondhand vans and new larger vehicles.
According to the latest report from MarketLine International, registrations of larger vehicles were partly boosted by the rush to meet emission deadlines last September. The changing picture of sales of new versus used commercial vehicles is shown by almost level pegging by value in 1989. But in 1993 new vehicles only accounted for 32% by value, with the lion's share, 68%, going to used vehicles sales.
The report's author, Nazim Uddin, notes the Continental trend to switch from road to rail which is slashing vehicle sales there and triggering a spur in sales in this country. He also predicts panel vans will become larger and competition will increase. But the number of franchise locations is likely to decline and there are expected to be more multi-franchises. The trend towards centralised supply depots is likely to increase the need for smaller vehicles. As expected Ford remains the market leader for commercial vehicle sales. At 53,420 for the year to September 1993, its sales are more than three times that of its nearest rival, GM Vauxhall.
MarketLine 071-624 2200.