There is still a good level of demand for trucks in the UK, despite mixed economic indicators, according to DAF MD Robin Easton.
There is still a good level of demand for trucks in the UK, despite mixed economic indicators, according to DAF MD Robin Easton.
Speaking at a press briefing in London, Easton said the manufacturer’s market forecast for trucks over six tonnes in 2017 will be around 44,000 units - better than the 41,000 the company predicted 12 months ago.
He said: “The breakdown of our orders this year have followed a familiar trend, approximately 70% of our orders are for rigids with 30% for tractors. Also, approximately 70% of our orders are above 16 tonnes with 30% in the six to 16 tonne bracket.”
Easton, who took over from Ray Ashworth nine months ago, said this year DAF will again achieve around a 30% share in the above 6-tonne segment. With regards to 2018, DAF is forecasting a UK market for trucks greater than six-tonnes of around 41,000 vehicles.
He said: “On a positive note the UK is experiencing reasonable GDP growth - 1.5% in 2017 - and record employment levels. Conversely, consumer confidence is falling, retail sales are now falling and new car sales have been falling for seven consecutive months.”
Easton said only time will tell if the industry be able to shoulder the additional cost of early replacement and a drop in the value of Euro-5 vehicles as a result of the introduction of clean air zones. “Once local municipalities converge on a single clean air standard then demand for Euro-6 vehicles will be robust”, he said.
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