MOTOR INDUSTRY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIX, 1 February 1936, Page 12

MOTOR INDUSTRY

SIGNS OF BUOYANCY FORECAST FOR 1936 It is predicted by competent observei's of market conditions that tlicrs will be marked increases in the sales of new cars and trucks in New Ze<j.land during 1936. That forecast is based on the uplift of the national income, the very satisfactory price levels of wool, wheat, and other products, and the fact that a great number of old vehicles, whose retirement is overdue, are still kept in commission, Rut will doubtless be replaced during the present year.

Buoyancy in the motor industry is expected in the chief manufacturing countries, and it has been estimated that in 1936 the world’s consumption of new automobiles will be about 6,000,000 units. Optimistic predictions in the United States indicate that the probable output for America will be approximately 5,000,000 vehicles, a total comparable to that of 1929, when the production was 4,794,000 cars and 826,000 trucks. The output of the United States for 1935 would reach almost 4.000,000 vehicles. Similar progress was also noted in Great Britain, and last year production reached a new peak, increasing by more than 20 per cent, in respect of cars and 8 per cent, of tracks. Exports advanced to a value of £12,000,000 -which total is £1,000,000 higher than the previous record, and the industry is now flourishing, with every prospect of much greater turnover. French car and truck factories have for various reasons experienced a rather lean period, but it is said that production in Germany and Russia has been stimulated considerably. The wider demand for motor products has. naturally, a very beneficial reaction on allied industries, and its effects in New Zealand should be of gioat heln in providing employment in many trades.