PCV market demand eases in 2014

Demand for buses and coaches fell 4.6% in 2014, according to figures from the SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders). There were 7,352 PCVs registered in the year, with 478 of them in December (26.1% down from last year). This comes at a time when the commercial vehicle market has seen a return to pre-recession levels, reflecting the growing confidence of many businesses in the UK. The CV market grew by 11% to 363,155 units in 2014, the highest level since 2007.

SMMT Chief Executive, Mike Hawes, said, ‘In spite of the recent growth seen in the bus and coach market, the sector was unable to overcome previous months of decline in 2014. The trend of growth in the purpose-built coach sector was reflected in the 5.8% rise for 2014, compared to the moderate declines seen in other areas of the market.’
There were 134 purpose built buses registered in December, a 39.4% decrease on the figure from the same month last year. This led to a rolling year figure of 2,548, 10.3% down on the previous year. Purpose built coach registrations numbered 22, down 51.1%, with a rolling year total of 892, up 5.8%. Converted buses registrations fell 15.5%, numbering 322, making for a rolling year total of 3,912, down 2.8%.

Registrations by marque in 2014 (with 2013’s figures in brackets) were: ADL 1,096 (1,243), Volvo Bus 595 (747), Wrightbus 420 (445), Optare 310 (317), Scania 301 (279), Mercedes-Benz (excluding Setra) 168 (118), Van Hool 143 (85), VDL 113 (113), Neoplan 55 (56), Irizar 50 (38), Setra 47 (44), King Long 39 (30), other imports 32 (30), MAN (excluding Neoplan) 26 (34), Iris Bus 19 (96), Caetano 15 (0) and Yutong 11 (0).

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