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Rob Smith

Position: Red Book Editor - HGVs

Number: 07436 564162

Rob is the HGV Editor for CAP‘s Red Book. With almost 30 years of industry experience including residual value setting and managing vehicle disposals for some of the biggest names in truck fleets, he is well versed with Heavy Goods Vehicles. He can regularly be found at auctions, operators and manufacturers researching current market conditions.

25/09/2014

HGV Editorial October 2014

HGV Marketplace During our recent auction visits it appears that there is a growing band of internet bidders. This can only be a good thing, saving those buyers’ hours of travelling time, time out of their office and the cost of both; or does it? A couple of stories of successful internet bidders being unhappy with their purchases have been doing the rounds which led me to think if true, did the...

27/08/2014

HGV Editorial September 2014

HGV Marketplace The current market is nothing more than flat, with only isolated pockets of strong activity. The continued lack of export trade and the summer holidays haven’t helped. Dealers, who would normally be looking forward to an autumn upturn, offering them fresh opportunities, are bemoaning the fact that the phones are not ringing and there are little signs of any increase in trade at...

24/07/2014

HGV Editorial August 2014

HGV Marketplace The export market is flat at present which is affecting prices and the desirability of some stock. The high value of the pound is not helping, but other factors are in play such as Chinese manufacturers setting up assembly plants in Africa to produce new trucks. Whilst such vehicles may be perceived as not being as durable as imported European trucks, they are financially...

24/06/2014

HGV Editorial July 2014

Recent auctions have been a bit hit and miss with attendances up one day and down the next. No doubt the bank holiday at the end of May and subsequent school holiday were a factor, together with the poor weather at the start of June. However, one sale which was particularly well attended and where sales flowed was the Protruck Tip-Ex auction, Harrogate in late May. With this exception, conversion...

27/05/2014

HGV Editorial June 2014

HGV MARKETPLACE Having weathered the recession we should be comforted with the early signs of calmer times to come. However, there are still some hidden dangers, such as the ongoing public spending cuts, which may continue to affect us for some time. Pay at long last is starting to rise a little bit faster, without endangering the competitiveness of British businesses or increasing inflation. The...

08/05/2014

HGV Editorial May 2014

HGV MARKETPLACE Compared to the same period in 2013, new truck registrations to date this year are down by 32%. A major influence is that whilst the last Euro 5 vehicles are now being registered under derogation there is reluctance by operators to plunge into Euro 6 in any quantity. Vehicles which would normally have been available by now remain in service; this has led to a continued shortage of...