International sales have helped taxi-cab maker Manganese Bronze to overcome a fall in demand from the UK.
Coventry-based Manganese Bronze (MNGS) has reported international sales for the quarter ended September 30 of 217 vehicles, compared to 78 vehicles in the same period last year.
However, sales were down 8.6 per cent, at 426 vehicles, in the UK, compared to 466 vehicles last year.
In a statement, the group added: “UK sales for October to date are following a similar trend. UK sales for the second half of 2011 are therefore likely to be marginally down on the first half, but broadly in line with the risk to expectations identified in July 2011.
“Whilst UK sales volumes have been below forecast, margins have been maintained at expected levels, and the Group’s share of the London market for the quarter ended 30 September 2011 increased from 79 per cent to 81 per cent.”
Year to date vehicle sales include 500 of the Azerbaijan order of 1,000 vehicles, with the remaining 500 due for delivery in the last quarter of the year.
“Orders for 2011 of 1,329 are well ahead of the target of 1,000 units set at the start of the year, but broadly in line with expectations,” the group added.
