Slow HGV sales lead to revision in 2010 forecast 16 July 2010

Consulting group CLEAR has revised its forecasted levels of demand for HGVs, following the release of sales figures for the first half of 2010.

After a sales reverse of more than 50% in 2009, compared with the 12 months prior, many were predicting that the market would recover this year by more than 20%. However, that has not materialised, and unit sales for the first six months of 2010 are 8% down on the January to June numbers for 2009.

Trailer markets fell 51% in Western Europe in 2009 and, as its economies are now established on a growth pattern, it had been hoped that a healthy rebound of well over 20% would materialise.

While a 16% upturn is still predicted for 2010, the fact that the calculations have been revised is disappointing.

Gary Beecroft, managing director of CLEAR, comments: "Given how far trailer markets have fallen, the size of the rebound is somewhat disappointing. It is quite possible that the 2007 level of trailer demand will not be exceeded in the next 10 years. Even in the long term, the total size of the West European trailer fleet will exhibit little growth."

Author
John Challen

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