BRITISH CARS

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 102, 26 October 1929, Page 29

BRITISH CARS

T*# EXPORT MARKET

SIGNS OP AWAKENING

(From -'The.^Post's" Representative.) ■'■'/LONDON, 20th September. Vigorous efforts are being made by the British motor-car. industry to extend its export trade (says the "Birmingham Post''J. -Several firms have produced new models specially designed for overseas conditions, and these cars are now undergoing secret tests. Liaison has been established between the manufacturers' section of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders and the Government, and machinery now exists for conferences as to. the best methods of developing the export "trade. "Branch offices have been opened by the British Manufacturers' Section .in Australia, -few '; Zealand, and South Africa, and representatives on the spot send reports to,the British factories," said an official of the society. "From January to the end of August this year Britain has exported motor-cars to the value of over £2,800,000. By this time next year we hape to have improved considerably on that figure." Much interest has been aroused by a special overseas model produced by one of the leading cheaper car factories in England. Revolutionary methods have been adopted in the attempt to capture the markets ..now held by the United States, and the bodywork has been designed on American lines. IMITATING AMERICAN CARS. /'The overseas buyer," said an official of the firm, "has been used to American cars all his life, and we decided that to get his custom we would have to produce a car similar to that with whieh he is familiar. It is useless to attempt, to force him to buy a type of car which; looks strange >to him and which has been built for English motorists under quite different conditions. So we have produced a car that is similar in appearance to the American car, while the chassis includes the best features of British and American design. Agents in Australia, South America, and other overseas markets lave placed ..orders for 25,000 cars." The "baby T' type of car, contrary to the opinion of critics in this country is proving remarkably popular abroad, and the manufacturers of these little machines are preparing a big export programme. One factory is turning out 100 baby" cars a week for overseas alone. _ This type of car is said to be replacing the rickshaw in many Eastern towns. . Throughout the motor trade there is a feeling of optimism, and several manufacturers state that 193Q i s going to be,a record year for- British motor e .- ports. --..-..