The latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) in the United Kingdom show commercial vehicle registrations back to trend, but with more market distortion expected ahead of the change to Euro 4 emissions on Oct. 1, according to Transport News.
Registrations in July were down 3.5% to 26,809 and up 0.1% for the year to date. The more stable rolling year data showed a drop of just 2.1% to 386,125 units.
"2006 CV registrations look good, despite a quiet July," said Christopher Macgowan, SMMT chief executive. "Light CV, bus and coach registrations did quite well in July, a month which typically takes 7.5% of annual CV registrations. This means we are on par with 2005 volumes. We expect even higher figures in August and a storm in September as operators rush to register Euro 3 trucks and coaches ahead of change to Euro 4. Despite these distortions, we're optimistic about year-end figures."
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