Keep on trucking

A group of European commercial vehicle manufacturers has called on the European Union (EU) to take immediate industry action to promote economic recovery.

At a three-day International Transport Forum event, the vehicle manufacturers outlined plans to improve industry prospects. These included investment in an infrastructure for the future, restoring access to financing, the implementation of a regulatory framework and stimulating vehicle fleet renewal.

Leif Östling, chief executive of Scania and chairman of the ACEA commercial vehicle manufacturers' board, said: ‘This is not a normal cycle; we are experiencing the sharpest downturn ever. Governments must act to prevent the failing of viable businesses, and they must do so in a coordinated way.

The economic crisis has caused a significant decline in transport activity and subsequent drop in demand for commercial vehicles. Order intake for heavy trucks stalled at 10,000 in the first quarter of 2009, compared to 100,000 a year ago. Manufacturers are now expecting commercial vehicle production to at least halve this year.