Argentine imports of new forklifts grew 38 per cent in 2005 while imports of used forklifts dropped 18 per cent, a market report said.

Marketeck SA analysed official Argentine Government customs statistics, processed by Tesys SRL, and found 3,086 new forklifts were imported last year, a 38 per cent increase on 2004's 2,243 forklifts (Forkliftaction.com News #206). The number of used forklifts dropped 18 per cent from 1,561 forklifts in 2004 to 1,277 forklifts in 2005.

Henry Whitney, who prepared the report, said used forklift imports fell because new forklifts were more accessible as the Argentine economy grew nine per cent in 2005.

"Companies operated at their maximum installed capacity, profits are up and new trucks are more accessible. Second, excellent trucks like Toyota, Clark or Heli are available at competitive prices," he said.

The FOB value of new forklift imports for 2005 totalled USD51,998,429, up 78 per cent from 2004's figure of USD29,247,813.

Marketeck has forecast 2006 to be a good year for the Argentine economy with forklift imports levelling off. It said 2007 volumes could drop if the Argentine Government decided to put import duties on forklifts.