Retail Values of Postwar Motor Cars

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 157, 5 July 1945, Page 4

Retail Values of Postwar Motor Cars

ENGLISH £3OO MODEL MAY GO TO £560 (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, July 4. The likely retail values of English ears on the postwar market, their types, the attitude of .some United states industrialists to Empire trade and the extraordinary demand for motor vehicle dealerships were dealt with by Mr. Bryan Todd, of Todd Motors Limited and Associated Motorists Petrol Company Limited, who returned to New Zealand after eight months abroad. Unquestionably all cars would be much dearer after the war for at least two years, or, if wages and labourists were maintained at their wartime level, possibly for much longer, said Mr. Todd. English ears would be more expensive for several reasons before they even reached New Zealand. These reasons included higher cost of component parts, labour and freight. Once landed there were similar increased local costs in assembly wages, materials, the 20 per cent, sales tax and lesser items which made up an appreciable aggregate. • An English car—selling prewar around the £3OO mark—might be priced, at £SOO or £550 on the New Zealand market in the immediate postwar years. When the United Kingdom and the United States resumed automobile jiroduction for the civilian market, the models would be those of 3940-41 in the case of Britain and those of 1942 for America.’ The new design of English cars made possible by the readjustment of the horse-power tax was something the industry could take in its stride. Tho larger models in engine performance would be more on a par with the American product. The attitude he found among American industrialists was generally on the lines that they recognised the importance of a strong Britain in postwar trade and commerce if peace was 10 be preserved, Having in mind their immense unsatisfied domestic market and those available in other parts of the world their view was that the United Kingdom should have first claint on Empire trade. It was certain that the present high value of used cars would remain until the new car demand was nearing satisfaction. He was impressed by the extraordinary inquiry for new car dealerships. His firm had a continuous stream of applications for dealerships and the same applied in Australia and in the United States.