Digitachs blur sales figures

Figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show truck registrations plummeted 51% in June, to 2,755, but the year-to-date figures were ahead by 4.3%.The statistics provide further proof of the scale of the scramble to beat the digital tachograph deadline.

SMMT chief executive Christopher MacGowan played down the sharp falls in June, saying CV registrations were stabilising overall.

However, he warned of further disturbances in the figures as a result of the introduction of Euro 4. "Euro 4 in October will upset the apple cart again for a period, making registration volumes in 2006 difficult to call."

[Contract Journal, 19 July 2006, p. 17]