ROUND-UP ha re a d Com t p in et I iti I on n is
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AIRFLOW Purfleet, Essex, independent used-truck outlet McKellar Motors has acquired truck cab conversion specialist Airflow. The Norfolk company makes aerodynamic aids and cab-top extensions, and also sold second-hand commercials up until 12 months ago. "We've been talking for the past couple of years," says Brian McKellar, who sees a lot of potential in cab extensions. "Drivers are looking for more room," he believes. Aerodynamic mouldings should command a healthy market given worries over diesel bills and the need to cut consumption. McKellar specialises in 1989 to 1993/94 trucks, mainly Scanias, Volvos and Dafs, and says demand has gone quiet.
MERCEDES 4. Mercedes-Benz is moving nearer to launching a rival to the lveco Ford Truck 2 Mega Dealer-approved used trucks scheme. Early 1999 is the likely unveiling time, at an initial 12 dealers. In the longer term the aim is for every Merc dealer in the country to take it on. Dealers reacted positively to the concept at a meeting at the recent Hanover Commercial Vehicles Show, says Mercedes general manager, used commercial vehicles, John Bissett. There will be further discussions between the network and the manufacturer before the end of the year. "We want everybody to buy into it rather than us saying this is what you are going to do, take it or leave it'," say Bissett.
AUCTIONS + Times are tough in the used truck market, but late-registered, well-equipped, high-horsepower sleeper-cab tractor units will still sell, reports Chris Wright of Commercial Vehicle Auctions of Doncaster. "We're moving late-registered Scanias and Dafs and we've sold several ERF ECs with Cummins Mll engines recently," he says. "Eight-wheelers are still selling too, and we're getting good results with, for example, Renault Maxter G300s as well as Volvo FLs." But there's very little demand for 320hp 4x2 tractors, irrespective of age, he admits. "As for trailers, if it's a 13.6m triaxle on air, it will sell, but moving 40-footers is hard work."
+ Far to the south, Wiltshire's M4 Auctions is gradually getting itself established after holding its first sale in May. Sales were once a month, but they're now fortnightly on Thursdays at 10:30hrs. The venue is a converted hangar on a former World War II airfield behind Membury Service Area, just off Junction 14 on the M4. Sixty vans and trucks would be a typical entry, says Jerry Lane, who runs the operation with fellow director John Moore. John Harris is the auctioneer. Lane says one or two big fleets are now entering trucks in each sale.