Mercedes-Benz top of HGV market for second successive year

For the second year in succession, Mercedes-Benz heavy commercial vehicles have proven to be Ireland’s favourite truck.

Figures released by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry for the year just ended show that sales of Mercedes-Benz Actros, Axor and Atego trucks totalled 161 units, equal to a 15.8% market share. In second and third place were DAF and Volvo with 147 units (14.4%) and 118 units (11.6%) sold respectively.

The overall number of heavy commercial vehicles registered in 2010 came to 1,020 units, a reduction of 131 units (-11.4%) compared with 2009 - a year in which Mercedes-Benz also topped the market with 199 units (18%) sold.

Factors which Mercedes-Benz have attributed to their success include the performance of their product range in international markets. In 2009, Actros was voted International Truck of the Year, an accolade won this year by the Atego.

Commenting, Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles sales manager Fergus Conheady praised the work done by their seven strong main dealer network in the face of what he termed ‘very adverse economic circumstances’.