* Annual big bus registrations stable at 2,300 units, after drop of a quarter from 2006.
* Annual trend in big coach registrations at a seven year high, but may have peaked.
* Heavier mini buses and also midi buses still firmly on a robust four year growth trend.
* Volume for buses of 3.5 to 5t gvw possibly at a seven year high, up over 60% on 2006 total.
“November’s registrations continued to show the mixed fortunes typical of the sector this year”, said Christopher Macgowan, SMMT chief executive. “At last we see the prospect of stability in the big bus sector, albeit after 12 months of a very sharp decline. Big coaches have seen a substantial rebound since the regulatory distortions of 2006/07 cleared. The rolling year volume is at a seven year high, just over 1,000 units, though it may not stabilise at that level. At the lighter end of the bus sector, both the heaviest mini buses and midi-bus segments maintain their four year growth trends, though with doubts about durability”
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