Car market: steady growth continues in large commercial transport segment

Cargo transports accurately reflect the rate of economic development. Carriers update and expand their car parks, as well as strive to reduce costs. The market’s result for the first half of 2016 is 32% growth in cargo transport segment above 3.5 tons – which is a good sign.

The segment of the large commercial transports in Latvia that matters the most is the one for vehicles with full mass above 16 tons, which takes up 96% of the entire market. The previous year forced carriers to adapt to the new situation in Europe and EURO 6 engines. This year’s car park change is carried out in a more planned manner. 708 new vehicles were registered in Latvia in the first six months of 2016, which is 39% more in comparison with the same period of 2015.

Although this year is not notable in terms of major cargo transports, there are two companies that have managed to secure major progress in the number of newly-registered transports: Kreiss has received 153 new trains (all Volvo) and Dinotrans – 71 new trains (Volvo and Scania). The Top 3 list of brands has also experienced certain changes. Volvo remains in the lead (338 a/m), which is more in comparison with the year before. Scania is on the second place (221 a/m). DAF is on the third place (54 a/m). Mercedes Benz, on the other hand, has lost its place in the TOP 3. This company’s loss of market share in comparison with the year before has more than doubled.

«Factory statistics confirm that Scania vehicles’ quality is at its highest in the past ten years. Countless independent tests confirm that Scania vehicles have the best (the lowest) fuel consumption. Quality has the most direct impact on uptime. Fuel consumption directly impacts expenses. Our clients understand this well,» – explains Scania Latvia manager Aigars Pusinkskis.

The market for new passenger buses has decreased 63% (nearly 70% in the segment of above 5 tons). Latvia’s bus market is dependent on Riga’s procurements. Such a massive market decline is related to the fact that there have not been any supplies of city buses and shuttle buses this year. Mercedes Benz (46%) is a leader in the bus segment of under 5 tons. Setra (39%) and MAN (23%) are leaders in the segment of over 5 tons.

Across the EU, the market of cargo vehicles with full mass of over 16 tons has grown 18.5% this year, continuing last year’s trend. The majority of the market has achieved growth of 20-30% and more. The bus market, on the other hand, has grown less – by 3.3% – in the first six months of 2016.

BNN 

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