Slump in new bus and HGV sales

Sales of new buses, coaches and heavy goods vehicles have slumped since Covid-19, figures published by  the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show. Just 328 new buses and coaches (including minibuses) registrations were recorded in the second quarter of 2020, a 77 per cent drop on the same period of 2019. New HGV (above six tonnes) registrations were down 73 per cent at 4,151. The SMMT said Covid-19 was the primary cause for the HGV decline, although orders in the second quarter of 2019 had been boosted by the introduction of ‘smart’ tachographs. SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: “With lockdown measures halting nearly all road public transport, operators’ willingness and ability to invest in their fleets has plummeted.”