COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 112, 14 May 1927, Page 13

COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

BRITISH EXHIBITION

A London correspondent writes that the commercial vehicle exhibition will reveal the fact that very substantial progress has been made since 1925. To toe casual observer, at any rate, it will probably be noteworthy. by reason of the number of six-wheeled rigid vehicles that will be exhibited. These aro, of course, not manufactured to the exclusion of four-wheeled types. The Navy Army, and Air Forco Institutes are active buyers. Meanwhile the demand for the flexible type of six-wheeler continues to increase. Just lately the United i>aines have ordered a substantial fleet tor the transport of bottled milk. Ma-' chines of thirteen-ton capacity are now being employed in connection with the new British sugar-beet industry, carrying molasses from the factories in Norfolk and Lincolnshire to the distilleries in London.

Tho recent annual general meeting of a steam wagon company indicated a very, satisfactory improvement in trade and in profits. This is particularly interesting in view of the fact that, so far as the, Home market is coucorned,. conditions last year woro strongly opposed to the increased use or the steam vehicle; For ono thing, tho- prolonged stoppage in the coal mines led first to a:shortago of coal and later to very high prices. On the other hand, competition between various oil interests, caused : pctrol to be sold at a remarkably low price. . Thus, tho economy.of tho "steamer," in respect of fuel, ceased for the time being ■to-be tho big soiling point it has been in the past. The improvement can only bo attributed to the intrinsic merits of .the steam and tractor from-such points of .view as economy of maintenance, freedom from breakdown, and groat durability. ■ , .