The firm saw a 32 per cent increase in its van volumes - its best yet, won a Royal Warrant as a suppliers of commercial vehicles to the Queen and held its 14.2 per cent of the heavy truck market.

‘We also led the 7.5 tonne truck market for the 19th straight year, in a market itself up some six per cent.’

He also said the company is determined to change its fortunes in the tractor market where its share fell from 4.7 to 3.0%.

‘Stralis takes some 11% of the tractor market across the continental market and deserves to do so very much better here. And better is what we intend to deliver.’