July figures comparable to May’s though total fares well against same month in previous years
The serious volatility that has marked new commercial vehicle sales in the first half of the year continues with July recording a second successive shift of more than 20 per cent and the second-biggest percentage swing.
July’s 2,654 total was almost 783 down at the start of the financial year on June’s 3,447, itself 759 up on May’s 2,688, according to Truck Industry Council (TIC) figures.
This compares with March’s 785 upswing to 2,893.
Despite that, on an annual basis, the month fared well against previous July’s in this decade, only two units down on last year’s and up between 50 and 500 units before that.
Heavy-duty trucks failed to hold on to four figures, falling to 845 from June’s 1,071.
Only Fuso, up six to 40 units, Dennis Eagle, up five to 12 to make double figures for the first time this year, bucked the trend.
At 842 for the month, the total was down on the past three years’ efforts but better than 20 10 and 2011.
In the medium-duty segment, Isuzu continues to make almost every post a winner this year, with sales growing steadily from 148 to 276.
The total failed to hold in the 600s, falling 77 units to 580, 10 down on May but above the rest.
Light-duty sales mirrored the heavy brigade, falling 227 units, or just one unit more, to 820 last month.
Here Isuzu took a hit, down 108 units to 291, as did Fuso, from 193 to 146, and Iveco, from 90 to 56, while Hino has stayed steadily just above the 200-mark for three months.
Amongst the vans, market leader Mercedes-Benz took a heft swipe, down to 187 from 332, as did second-placed Renault, from 150 to 87, and Ford, from 81 to 47.