“ALL AUSTRALIAN” MOTOR CAR

Evening Star, Issue 17921, 17 March 1922, Page 1

“ALL AUSTRALIAN” MOTOR CAR

Despite tho high prioo of petrol tho motor industry i n Australia Is in a particularly healthy condition, and trade generally is buoyant. There 1b a possibility that in tho near future a car of Australian design and manufacture will bo on tho market. Over a year ago Mr G. Hamilton Grapes went to'tho United Stales with plans for the construction of a car specially designed by him to meet Australian conditions. Ho recently returned with tho car, which ho drove from New York to Ban Francisco. Special features of the vehicle are economy In fuel consumption, lightness, and suitability for tho back country and the bad roads. A company haa boon formed to enter upon tho manufacture of the car. In the first instance tho engine and transmission will Iks secured from America, but later on it is proposed that tho complete vehicle shall he of Australian- manufacture.

Despite the heavy additions in Australia to tho initial factory cost brought about by unfavorable exchange, package, _ freight, insurance, ’duties, and other incidentals, tho American car is still cheaper than its rivals hem. The majority of Australra.no probably would preW to buy British goods, but it is only comparatively few who can afford to exorcise that preference. The market for expensive oars is limited, ami tho larger field—that is, for can from £SOO downwards —is left almost entirely to the United State. English manufacturers are being urged to produce a cheap, efficient car, and if they succeed in doing so they vdll find a ready market in Australia. Ac conditions in Australia are highly favorable to motor transport, it is not surprising to find that tho Ford is the mast popular car hero. It is computed that there _ are about ten fames as many Ford cars in Australia as there are of any_ other make, and fhoir number is increasing.