FRENCH MAKERS COMBINE.

Marlborough Express, Volume LIII, Issue 102, 1 May 1919, Page 3

FRENCH MAKERS COMBINE.

It is announced that ten of the r/iost important French motor-car manufacturers; are entering into a limited form of combine with a view to safeguarding themselves against the anticipated invasion of American loachines. The French makers concerned in the new arrangement propose to pool their purchasing and manufacturing resources—thus, of course, cheapening production costs and to standardise important components of their chassis, more or less vn the American plan. They intend, also jointly, to des-.ign a mode] ate priced small car of a new pattern, the components of which will be manufactured by the various members of the combine, {gid the parts ('S.scmbled in a factory to be erected by its members johitlv.

It lias frequently been argued that ceinbmed action on similar lines .should- be taken by British car makers, but hitherto the ineurnbl" individualism of tlio Briton has brought .-ill such embryo schemes to nought. It is by :io means improbable tint the salvntion of the British motor industry will be achieved in no other way than by pooling of interests such as that now being adopted in France.