TYRE IMPORTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19720, 20 August 1927, Page 12 (Supplement)

TYRE IMPORTS.

£504.392 IN HALF-YEAR.

In view of the great monthly increases in the number of motor vehicles in use in the Dominion it is rather surprising to find a decrease in the tyre imports for the first half of 1Q27. It has been general knowledge that the Dominion has been less lavish in its demand for new cars this year, and statistics for the six months ended June 30 last showed a decline of over 50 per cent, in the car imports. The economy move appeals to . have extended in a lesser degree to tyres, although allowance must be made for the fact that tyres are cheaper this year. The total value of tyre and tubes imported during the first half-year of 1927 was £504.392, as compared with £538,432 in the corresponding period of 1926. Britain's share this year is 27 per cent, of the total, as against per cent, in the first .half of 1926. Whatever may be the reason for the reduced imports, tho motorist will not overlook the fact that tyre quality is improving yearly, and the driver who was satisfied with 6'300 miles from the tyre of five years ago now gets 12,000 miles and even 15,000 miles with greater comfort. Research experts are jiot resting, and the annual outlay pel car;for tyres must continue to decrease. Following are details of the imports of tyres and tubes for motor vehicles into New Zealand during the first six months •of 1927 ' Canada ... . • • • Great Britain .»• - France t- a A . .. 40,010 Italy " .. .. 22.783 Belgium • • I\w 1 \w i Australia . »• —■ 3^*' (Germany v Sweden- * . »*» ►«£ £501,332 : SCIENCE OF BRAKING. The cost of tyres, petrol and repairs can be appreciably reduced bv using the brakes as little as possible. Much brake action may be eliminated by permitting the car to'lose momentum by coasting. In the majority, of instances the need for slowing down can be seen far enough in advance to permit, the coasting method *- to be used. This practice js not- only easier on the car, but it lessens tho work of tho driver,, and js also less fatiguing to the passengers. It is" worth remembering that collisions sometimes occur as a result of too quick a stop, although it is usual, to look at 'the possibility of accident from the opposite standpoint, them to stops that were not quick enough. However, it frequently happens that n e motorist' pulls his car up quickly he / -will be rammed from .the rear by a car that is running close, and yet has brakes that are less powerful.

NEW ROAD GUIDE. The service officer of the A.A.A. will make a trip of over 1300 miles through the North Island. early m September. This will be the final tour for the compilation of data for the new road guide The' Wellington organisation is the only automobile association in the North Island which has taken no interest in the new 'guide. This association intends to produce its own guide, but in view of the extensive information resources of the A. A.A- it- would have -probably _ been better for the body in the capital city to have pooled with the lesser southern associations and accepted the A.A.A. publication.

/ RIVETING

We all know of the destructive force of vibration, but do we all apply this knowledge in our work? lor example, when metals are ; riveted together, 'do we always make tight jomta so that there will be no danger of vibration ? One of the points of riveting that escapes the attention of the average amateur mechanic is that the holes for the rivets must be just large enough for the rivets to be pressed or lightly hammered into place. Then there will be no play in the finished job, and the possible effects of vibration Will be eliminated. MOTOR TRADE ITEMS. The latest in new models is a 1927 Nash r light six sedan which was uncased this week at Mr. W. S. Millar s garage. The car has several interesting features. Incidentally, the delivery of the car, establishes a record. The new model was boxed in America on July 13, and it was running on the road in Auckland last -Wednesday;

A record in tho history of Chevrolet production was established in America in April, when an output of 111,937 units was achieved in the month. This exceeds the previous monthly record by 4000, and stands as a world record for a threespeed/ gear-shift car. During the same month, a record for one day was also established with an output of 5347 cars and trucks. /

Mr. Henry Ford has issued an official statement to the effect that the published details of the new Ford car are inaccurate. He states that the particulars were taken from papers stolen from the Ford research offices, but that the design -adopted differs on various points. The details alleged to have been obtained through this source were circulated throughout ■ the United States.

The exclusive licence for the manufacture and sale of the Dewandre vacuum servo for cars in the U.S.A., and Canada, has been granted to the Westinghouse Brake Co., of Pittsburg, U.S.A., who, therefore, stand in the same relation in those countries as do Clayton Wagons for Great Britain and Ireland and the British Colonies (excepting. Canada). The Continental licenses have been granted to the Jiobcrt Bosch Co., of Germany.