Lee Smith, a director of West Thurrock, Essex, independent used truck dealership Hanbury Riverside says: “People knew the rise in duty was on its way, but until now the implications hadn’t really registered with them,” he says. “They’re now starting to feel the impact, and we’ve already seen orders for two trucks cancelled because of the high cost of diesel.
Dealers are also being warned that they should get to grips with the whole vehicle type approval laws, which will be implemented in 2009. Seminars run by the Department for Transport and Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders revealed that responsibility could fall at their door.
“Dealers do 99% of van and truck registrations and they are most likely to get caught out by the 'no approval, no registration, no sale' red line,” he says. “All the parties will need to agree who will run the show and who will be responsible for the whole vehicle approval; otherwise no-one will get paid. In most cases, it looks like the dealer will need to take responsibility for this one.”
Finally, the used trade is urged to take a stand at the CV Show to exhibit stock; a well worked format for the like of Mercedes Benz Approved Used Commercials, who regularly sell all its stock off its stand, making it pay for itself.