Depressed start for registrations in 2009
“January’s figures show the close link between the economic outlook and new van and truck registrations,” said Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive. “They show how tough the first half of the year will get as spending slows. Vans are down nearly 50% for the month and 18% for the rolling year and now trucks are falling fast after holding up until the final quarter of 2008. With stock to clear and judgements needed on when and where the fall in demand will stop, the UK commercial vehicle business is in for a very tough year even if government policy aid and lending guarantees arrive. This year will test the resilience of the sector in the UK and across the EC; it will come through but the challenge is huge.”
