Record Output Of Cars

Northern Advocate, 8 January 1938, Page 13

Record Output Of Cars

INCREASE IN SPITE OF REARMAMENT.

MOTOR INDUSTRY CONTRIBUTES TO ENGLAND’S DEFENCE.

The cabled news that (he motor industry of Great Britain has, for the first time, reached the record output of 500,000 automobiles (excluding I motor-cycles) a year, disposes of the early fears that the establishment of I several huge “shadow factories” in I England for specialising on large scale I production of military aircraft Would I interfere seriously with the produc- ! lion schedules of the motor industry of the United Kingdom. Amongst the leading English automobile manufacturers enlisted in Earl Baldwin’s scheme to give motor firms experience in aircraft production, which would permit of still more rapid expansion in the event of war, are the Austin, Morris, Rover*, Standard, Daimler and Rootes concerns. In addition, several of the big firms that concentrate on building commercial motor vehicles are assisting materially in the making of armaments and heavy transport units on behalf of the British Government. That Britain’s motor industry has been able to make 389,633 new cars and 118,116 commercial vehicles during the 12 months ended September 30, and at the same time help in the national defence programme, indicates efficiency and enterprise of the highest order.

The sales of motor cars and commercial vehicles in Australia during October, 1937, exceeded those for the same month of 1936 by 20 per cent, and -15.24 per cent, respectively. A total of 4536 new cars were sold during the month in question, representing a gain of 759 units over October, 1936. The total of new commercial vehicles sold was 2094, a gain of 277 units. Of the £2,538,000 paid for these new motorvehicles approximately £1,90.0,000, represented money staying in Australia, and devoted to materials and labour embodied in their construction.