Renault Trucks’ Commercial Director Nigel Butler, says that the unprecedented 10,000 unit commercial vehicle market in December has not led to a corresponding dip for the company in the first quarter of 2014. He says, “There were naturally lower volumes year-on-year, but with a strong performance for our new C and K ranges in the construction sector, it was more than compensated for.” He pointed to operators like Severn Asset (container logistics) and Marshalls Brick and Block as typical of conquest business generated by their root-and-branch product renewal last year.
VIDEO: Renault Trucks UK Commercial Director, Nigel Butler
With the Birmingham show one of only two that Renault Trucks will attend in Europe this year, Butler is concentrating on operating costs, launching a £265 per week acquisition package for a T range 6×2 tractor. “That figure includes finance, and three years R&M,” says Butler. In what must be the bargain basement deal of the Show, a stand-alone three year R&M deal at £19 per week is on offer.
At the light end, a pre-production version of their updated Master van was also on show, with new Euro-5b engines at 110, 135 and 165hp. The new Master can be ordered from mid-June for September delivery.
A recently-launched three-tier used truck structure is helping to drive up residual values, says Butler. They comprise younger vehicles with R&M, trucks with a manufacturer-backed driveline warranty and older higher mileage chassis. Butler reports the ‘middle of the road ‘ option with warranted componentry as attracting the most interest.
