Scania is celebrating its best ever year in the UK with a total of 6,846 trucks registered in 2013, up 47% on 2012, lifting its share of the heavy truck market (18 tonnes GVW plus) from 16.1% to 18.1%.
"We are naturally delighted with these results, which have been achieved through an unflinching focus on customer service and a portfolio of products ideally suited to the needs of the market place," said Scania (Great Britain) MD Claes Jacobsson. "Our ambition today is to provide the best possible customer experience and total transport solutions, whereby we offer answers to every operational issue, situation and circumstance. Consequently, Scania's UK operations now extend way beyond vehicle sales and service and include a range of innovative services, such as Tanker Support Services, Trailer Parts and Service, the Scania Fuel Card and Optimise, our bespoke driver development and coaching programme."
SMMT data for 2013 new truck registrations of 6-tonne GVW or above shows December set a new record for registrations in a single month, including more than 1,000 in a single day, 18 December.
This brought 2013’s total to 49,430, the highest since 2006. That is 28.1% above 2012’s figure and well above the average of the 20 years immediately before the UK economy, along with truck sales, nose-dived in late 2008.
Growth was strongest at the heavy end of the truck market. Registrations of four-axle rigid chassis soared by 58.3% to 3,588. This is similar to the pre-recession level and confirmation that the construction sector is recovering. The number of tractor units registered grew by 32% to 22,567, comfortably a new all-time record.
Nearly all marques registered more trucks in 2013 than in 2012. However, some did much better, out-performing the market to boost their shares. Scania was the star performer, registering 47.2% more vehicles than in 2012, hiking market share from 12.1% to 13.9% to consolidate its number three ranking. Scania benefited from the vibrancy in the heavy sectors where it is strongest.
Volvo, in fourth place, also out-stripped the market, boosting registrations by 38.9% to achieve a market share of 11.2%. After sinking to 10.3% in 2012, its lowest market share for years, this was a much-needed fillip for Volvo.
Second-placed Mercedes-Benz made good progress too, increasing registrations by 36.9% to take market share up to 17.8%, close to its peak of 18.1% in 2010.
These three all moved closer to market leader Daf, which lost half a point of its share. But that still leaves Daf with 28.4% of the market, a country mile ahead of the rest.
- See MT 10 February issue for the full story
