Sales barely up
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SALES of commercial vehicles are expected to end this year only 1.4 per cent above those for 1984, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders' forecasts.
Its latest review of the market envisages a climb in sales this year from 269,000 to 272,800 vehicles, of which 214,000 will be in the light and medium/heavy van and light 4x4 categories. Last year, 212,700 vehicles were sold in these categories.
Over 3.5 tonnes, the rise is expected to be from 52,800 last year to 56,000, a climb of 5.7 per cent.
According to the SMMT, the miners' strike is still depressing confidence, and companies are continuing to rationalise their fleets to the extent that they are not replacing all of the vehicles bought in the boom year of 1979.
It also detects a swing away from some vehicles at the bottom end of the weight range and on to classic medium/ heavy vans which, at present, are not subject to plating and testing.