 "Trucks halted during the strike against the present toll collection system, in Surat")
Truck rentals are expected to go up in October due to an increase in cargo offerings because of the festive season and the onset of the kharif crop harvest. October may also see some increase in diesel prices due to a firm trend in crude oil prices.
With cargo offerings from fruit and vegetables and factories remaining virtually flat and a small diesel price rise of Rs 0.5 per litre, the truck rentals remained range-bound on most of the trunk routes, said a statement from the Indian Foundation of Transport Research and Training.
The body said there has been an average fall in monthly rentals by 5.3 to 6.9 per cent on trunk routes during April-September of 2015, in comparison to the same period last year, mainly due to the decline in diesel price during this period. Diesel price has come down in line with the global price. Against a price of Rs 58.97 a litre (in Delhi) a year ago, diesel now sells for Rs 44.45 a litre.
September also saw an increase in sales of certain categories of heavy commercial vehicles, since prices were set to increase from October due to the mandatory fitting of antilock braking system and speed control device. Manufacturers increased prices by five-10 per cent and, as a result, many buyers advanced the purchase to September. Tata Motors sold 52 per cent more medium and heavy commercial vehicles in September against a year ago.
