Demand for truck can grow

The Brazil and the United States could boost demand for trucks in 2013, with growth of 12% and 5% respectively, with good prospects for Volvo, Scania and man. The projection is of the French Bank Société Générale, which provides a slight recovery in the sector after sales slumps suffered last year in major Western markets-Europe, USA and Brazil.
According to the Bank, the Brazilian market for trucks over 2012 with drop of about 20 percent, because of new legislation on emissions and the impact of the economic downturn. With data by Government stimulus and likely resumption of spending on infrastructure, preceding the World Cup and the Olympics in 2016, more demand by trucks can occur from this year. In 2011, sales in Brazil reached 53,145 units, fell to 42,499 last year and can reach 47,500 this year, by the Bank's projections. In the last quarter of 2012, there has been growth in sales in Brazil.
In the US, demand sank in 2012, with indentation of 26% on the previous year. But the reduction of uncertainty, for the time being, on the "fiscal gap", can improve sales this year. China surged from 15% in sales in 2012 and could increase 10% this year, but with a lot of local production. The number of sales for 2013 is estimated at 864,900 trucks.
The Outlook for sales of trucks in Europe remain uncertain, because of the crisis in the euro area and the lack of confidence in the market. The decline in demand in the heavy carts was 8% in 2012, with 187 thousand units, or 15% below the average of the last ten years. The Bank revised its projection for 2013, 10% growth to 5%.
The fragility of orders in Germany and in France for such a deterioration in Italy and Spain are the most affected markets.
The Brazilian market is essential for improving the business of major producers. Volvo might benefit in the country, but also in China, where the industrial recovery is reflected in the new estimates.
Orders in Scania also improved in the last two quarters and the expectation is more demand in Brazil, its most lucrative market. The German MAN is prudent in Europe, cutting working hours in Munich and Salzgitter since mid this month. But it can also benefit from the resumption of business in Brazil.