News

Hino has been stepping in to fill the breach left by Foden's demise, and now another manufacturer is taking advantage of a gap in the market - Turkish firm BMC. BMC, which had been getting by with a handful of dealers, has extended its network to 23 outlets after signing up a number of Seddon-Atkinson dealers looking for opportunities since Iveco killed off the former Oldham brand.

Yorkshire-based Pelican Engineering's Knottingley Trucks subsidiary was the first former SA dealer to move  across. According to Pelican MD Richard Crump: "BMC is the natural successor to Seddon-Atkinson." One of the key factors is that BMC's Euro-4 engine is made by Cummins, a brand that many operators are still loyal to. The BMC link also extends to taking on some former senior SA personnel, including Kevin Crouder, Seddon's municipal specialist and Jim Towns, formerly of Knottingley Trucks. Recognising the widely varied requirements of general hauliers, BMC UK is concentrating its efforts on the municipal sector.

Its low-entry RCV chassis, which has much in common with the company's successful PSV range, is now available with SCR Euro-4. The first examples are straight 6x4s, but mid-lift and rear-steer versions will follow. BMC's no-frills 18 and 26-tonners continue to be available, mostly aimed at the skip-loader market three and four-axle construction chassis will arrive later this year.

There is not such positive news on the Megastar van range, however ongoing issues with  a Euro-4 engine have lowered its priority within the company.