Iveco Daily FC fp ad.indd - Export & Freight

face to faceDesEvansChief Executive, MANTrucks and Bus UK LtdTruck registrations continueto recover; the latest figuresfrom SMMT show a 26.4%increase in sales, the 17thmonthly rise. Manufacturerslike MAN are benefiting,with sales here at home andacross Europe on the up.But can it be sustained? That’sone of the questions we putto MAN Truck & Bus UK ChiefExecutive Des Evans, whenExport & Freight’s Helen Beggscame ‘face to face’ with himduring a recent trip to London.201:Last year MAN lifted itsmarket share in Europefor the sixth successive year,and latest figures show thatoverall truck registrationssoared by over 45% in the firstmonth of this year, can yousee that trend continuing?MAN will consolidate its Europeanand UK market share this yearand would like to see its currentpositions of 18% and 13%respectively maintained. Withregard to the market, someslight increase in the UK marketis forecast with significantincrease in 2013 due to Euro 5/6transition. Average levels achievedover the last 20 years in the UKare not expected to be reached,with a 40,000 unit average > 6tonne anticipated 2012-2015.2:The budget is looming,and more rises indiesel prices are expected–what would you like tosee the Chancellor do tohelp the truck industry?A number of things: a scrappagescheme for trucks >10 yearsof age, especially tractor units;100% capital allowance fortruck purchases; and quantitativeeasing for small business unitsin the form of bank loans fortruck purchases or in the formof business /overdraft loans atacceptable rates of interest.I would also like to see a lawthat states all credit should bepaid in 30 days, with offendersto be fined the outstandingamounts! And an increasedTraining Grant for apprenticetechnicians and young HGVdrivers, e.g. a transfer of anywelfare benefit to the employer.However, we do not expectthe chancellor to offerany respite with regard tofuel tax concessions!!3:Why do you thinkrecovery seemsslower in the UK and Irelandthan the rest of Europe?Three reasons: increased cost ofbusiness i.e. utilities, insurance,cost of employment, taxation;low consumer and businessconfidence is holding backinvestment, and there’s too littlemanufacturing and too muchreliance on financial services.However, compared to France,Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greeceetc UK is still in good shape.4:How are the signs ofrecovery being reflectedacross the MAN network?Having been removed, bycommon consent, from the dayto-dayresponsibilities of vehiclesales by our MAN Direct salesapproach, all MAN Networkmembers are solvent. A ROSof c.6% demonstrates thisvery clearly and differentiatesMAN Dealers from competitivefranchises. This level of successhas enabled Private dealersto invest in new premises,ATF facilities and Hazardousgoods business. Aquila, HRVS,PCL, WG Davies are all goodexamples of expansion.5:What are your plansregarding Euro 6in terms of EGR/SCR?MAN does not rush to marketsimply to secure a quickpromotional advantage or oneoffdeal. We did not do it withEuro 5 and we will not do it withEuro 6. We will be ready on timeand in time for operator needs,and right now we have had noenquiries whatsoever for Euro6 from our truck customers.We will meet Euro 6 with acombination of EGR and SCRtechnology. Due to the absenceof UK Government incentivesdemand for Euro 6 product isnot anticipated before the 2014deadline for introduction.Until that time, MAN in the UKwill focus very clearly on Euro 5product, which is what all ouroperators, without exception,wish to talk to us about.Des Evans Face to Face Spread.indd 20 19/03/2012 16:32