BRITISH MOTORING INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 256, 26 September 1933, Page 6

BRITISH MOTORING INDUSTRY.

The response of the British motoring* inudstry to its opportunities is illustrated in the address given by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade to a display in connection with the Olympia Motor Show. The Minister’s figures showed that since 1923, when the industry began “its popular development,” the production of British vehicles has risen from 71,000 cars and 23,000 goods vehicles to 171,000 and 61,000 respectively. This striking development has been responsible for a very sharp decline in Britain’s imports. In the period between 1925 and 1932 the number of motor cars landed in England from foreign countries fell from 41,000 to 2,762, and commercial vehicles dropped from 6,000 to 310. The growth of overseas markets has corresponded to the increased production. In 1924 15,000 vehicles were sold abroad; but last year the figure had reached to 40,000, and in the eight months of 1933 to 33,000. If this rate is maintained the complete returns for this year will show an even better trade than in 1932. Expressed in another way, the Minister showed that Britain was exporting 15.0 per cent, of her production as against the United States’s 2.6 per cent. It is the considered opinion of trade experts that, the manufacturers of Britain have attained to definite ascendancy in the markets of the world. The product of their factories is being increasingly demanded in the countries of Europe, leading to greater exports annually. Spain provides an interesting example. Two years ago it took only 97 British cars; in 1932 the total had jumped to very nearly ten times the preA’ious figure, and at the end of May the 1933 return Avas no less than 1,173 cars. Holland, Portugal and SAveden tell a similar story in the growth of their motor trade with Britain. The consequence is that Europe is an important and valuable customer of the British manufacturers Avhose exports continue to swell in volume, 11,057 cars being purchased last year against 7,818 in 1931. But the market is also expanding in other parts of the world, so much so that the export figures of 31,797 in 1932 Avere 70 per cent, greater than those of 1931. The protection given to British industry, first by the McKenna Duties which, it Avas recorded three years ago, had enabled the industry to Avithstand the effects of the depression, and subsequently by the substantial tariff under the Import Duties Act, 1932, are reflected in the marked progress in the home and foreign markets. The development is one to be greatly welcomed.