- Big buses drop to 2,580 units for the rolling year to March
- 1,036 coaches to March, also fell below recent annual averages
- Minibuses, at 4,163 for the rolling year, continue to fall away.
‘Early 2007 saw bus and coach registrations holding just below recent annual averages, but lower March registrations reflect the adverse reaction to regulatory changes that affected these markets in 2006.’ said Christopher Macgowan, SMMT chief executive. ‘We can expect further softening in registrations until the effects of 2006’s erratic market settle. Big regulatory changes – digital tachograph and Euro 4 emissions regulation changes – gave an untypical lift in demand around this time last year. We hope to see improved prospects and clearer market trends when these exceptional conditions pass.’
