MOTOR IMPORTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22032, 12 February 1935, Page 10

MOTOR IMPORTS

SHARP ADVANCE SHOWN FIGURES QUADRUPLED VALUE NEARLY £2,000,000 BRITAIN'S SHARE DIMINISHES The number of motor vehicles imported into New Zealand in 1934 was 14,415, nearly four times the figure of 3868 in the previous year, according to a return prepared for the Herald by tho Comptroller of Customs. The total in 1932 was 3662. Motor vehicles of all types imported last year were valued at £1,809,574, for purposes of assessing duty, compared with £532,494 in 1933, and £526,537 in 1932. The figures quoted are the current domestic values in the countries of origin, plus 10 per cent. Following is an analysis of the dutiable value of motor imports in 1934= — United United Kingdom States Canada Cars .. . . £746,195 £348,348 £314.673 Car chassis .. 22.1C9 22,737 1,347 Commercial vehicles .. 5,326 800 6,250 Commercial chassis .. 194,2f,7 105,677 41,765 Totals ... £967,977 £477,562 £358,035 More Complete Cars The increase in imports of passenger vehicles was proportionately greater in regard to complete cars than chassis. Last year there were 11,258 complete cars and 489 chassis, compared with 2726 and 207 respectively in 1933. Although the United Kingdom still holds the advantage in regard to complete cars, the United States last year provided the larger number of chassis. Both tho United States and Canadian totals of complete cars increased considerably. The United Kingdom quota of 5471 last year was still, however, the largest, 3490 cars coming from the United States and 2297 from Canada. In 1933 the United Kingdom accounted for 2272 cars, Canada 470, the United States 190, and France one.. Following are details of the motorcar and motor-car chassis imports for the past three years:—

1932 1933 1934 United Kingdom .. 2,537 2,272 5,654 United States .. 146 190 3,778 Canada . • • • 358 470 2,315 France .. •. 2 1 Italy 1

Totals .. .. 8,044 2,933 11,747 Commercial Vehicles

Substantial increases were shown also in the number of commercial vehicles imported. Last year jhere were 2668 lorries, trucks, vans, buses and commercial chassis landed in New Zealand, as against 935 in 1933, and 618 in 1932. In 1931 there were 632 commercial vehicles brought into the country, while the total for 1930 was 3049.

Last year the greatest number of commercial vehicles, 1112, came from the United States and not the United Kingdom, as was the case in the previous two years. There were 1095 from the Us4>sd Kingdom and 461 from Canada.

In 1933 the United Kingdom supplied 643 commercial vehicles out of a total of 935, the United States accounting for 180 and. Canada for 111. In 1932 the United Kingdom also sent the largest number, but in the previous year the United States held the ascendency in this field., -- Following are details of the commercial vehicles imported during the past three years::— - r * 1932 1933 1934 United Kingdom .. 602 643 1,095 United States .. 76 180 1,112 Canada .. . > 40 111 461 Germany . • »• 1 Totals .. 618 935 2,668