Export & Freight Feb-Mar 2020

Page 55

NEWS

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Another Record-Breaking Year For Mercedes-Benz Vans Mercedes-Benz Vans sold 44,130 vehicles in 2019 – a 14.4% increase on the previous year, representing another record broken for the manufacturer. In fact, in 2019, the brand secured record monthly sales performances in January through to August consecutively, and achieved record Vito, Sprinter chassis, and X-Class sales. This result positioned Mercedes-Benz in position three in the overall van market (which itself was up just 4.2% overall on 2018), with the Sprinter in the top position for the large van market in the UK. The brand also lent more money than ever before

to businesses requiring a van to keep them moving, and succeeded in lending over £400m, which is +£44m on the previous best ever year. Steve Bridge, Managing Director, Mercedes-Benz Vans UK Ltd, added: “We are so proud to keep Britain’s businesses moving and record figures like this confirm that we have got it right; not just the right product, but the right services, processes and of course, people. In fact, our network of people, both at head office and

Lord Mayor unveils new electric vehicles for Belfast parks

across our nationwide Dealer network, work hard to bring our brand values to life, and I couldn’t be more proud of them for achieving this record-breaking result and supporting the fantastic van community in all that they do.”

Belfast’s First Citizen has called on people from across the city to help shape action on climate change by sharing their views on Council’s draft resilience strategy. The appeal comes as Lord Mayor Councillor Daniel Baker unveiled new electric vehicles which will be used in parks across Belfast. Introducing the 12 electric vehicles is part of Belfast City Council’s plans to review its fleet, with long-term ambitions set for transition to low carbon transport options in the future.

Mayor Councillor Daniel Baker unveiling the new electric vehicles which will be used in Belfast parks.

Lord Mayor of Belfast Councillor Daniel Baker said: “Climate change has reached a point where we need to make urgent and concerted efforts to understand and prepare for its impact. Our goal is to transition Belfast to an inclusive, low carbon, climate-resilient economy within a generation, so there is work to be done.”

Van market up +5.9% marking positive start to 2020

with double-digit growth for both segments at +26.3% and +41.7% respectively. 4x4s experienced a moderate growth of +6.3% while pickup registrations fell -9.7% and larger vans weighing more than 2.53.5 tonnes remain stable at -0.9%.

The UK new light commercial vehicle (LCV) market enjoyed growth in the first month of the year, according to the latest figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, “January’s growth is welcome news for the commercial vehicle sector. Especially welcome is the increased uptake of alternatively fuelled commercial vehicles, essential if we are to address both climate change and air quality goals. The fastest way to do this is by encouraging uptake of the latest low emission vehicles, regardless of fuel type, and business confidence remains vital for this transition.”

Registrations rose +5.9% in January after three months of decline towards the end of 2019, caused by pent-up demand due to regulatory changes, as well as operators taking advantage of some

compelling deals on the latest models. Small vans weighing less than or equal to 2.0 tonnes and mid-sized vans weighing more than 2.0-2.5 tonnes led the charge,

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Buoyancy in container traffic at Port of Cork

4min
page 62

New Stena Line ferry now in service

3min
pages 74-80

Peter Morrow – Northern Ireland Manager FORS

2min
page 49

Another record-breaking year for Mercedes Vans

5min
pages 55-57

LDV All Electric Marks New Direction at Hireco NI

12min
pages 50-53

Isuzu Northern Ireland Dealers Dominate Awards

4min
page 54

Belfast Harbour tonnages remain strong

5min
pages 58-61

Seamus Leheny, FTA Policy Manager - Northern Ireland

6min
pages 36-37

NI Trucks is IVECO Dealer of Year

2min
pages 34-35

Geoff Potter, Managing Director, Gray & Adams

4min
pages 32-33

Dennison Commercials celebrate 50th anniversary

6min
pages 28-31

Court Report

4min
pages 26-27

Focus on Diamond Trucks Aftersales Service

6min
pages 20-21

Upgraded Mercedes-Benz Actros A Dream to Drive

5min
pages 24-25

John Martin, RHA Policy Manager for Northern Ireland

7min
pages 22-23

Laurence Drake, Managing Director DAF Trucks

13min
pages 16-19

Scania Trucks Impress in Harsh Winter Conditions

14min
pages 8-13

SWC Appointed BPW NI-Based Training Centre

4min
pages 4-5

First meeting of BIFA Young Forwarders NI

2min
pages 14-15

Northern Ireland’s First Assured Skills Academy

3min
pages 6-7
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