SPURT IN MOTOR SALES

Evening Star, Issue 21640, 8 February 1934, Page 14

SPURT IN MOTOR SALES

DEMAND EXCEEDS SUPPLY [Special to the ‘Star.’] CHRISTCHURCH, February 7. Supplies of new motor cars in Christchurch are falling far short of -'demand, and importers are in a position which is best described as an embarrassing novelty. The two important factors in the present position- are the reluctance of some importers to deal in heavy shipments, in view of money changes and their uncertainty, and the inability of the factories to meet the home demand and at the same time maintain overseas supplies. The increased demand for motor cars in the home market has made it necessary to work the factories at full capacity, and importers in overseas markets have found that their needs cannot be met. Cablegrams sent from New Zealand to factories asking the when, how. and why of future shipments would make a lengthy list, and what shipments have arrived have been in what one importer calls “ dribs and drabs.’’ The cars are sold long before they arrive, and when buyers become impatient of delay in delivery there is not a little worry caused all, round. Demonstration cars are difficult to hold. Obviously importers must have something to show prospective motorists, who require something more than the book of words. The sales' figures of new cars should have been given a big fillip last month. One Christchurch in” porter told a reporter that his staff had sold twenty new cars in January, which was the best month for his firm since 1929. There is a distinctly improved tone in the motor business generally, and the business being done is of the better class.