MOTOR-CAR IMPORTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22670, 6 March 1937, Page 10

MOTOR-CAR IMPORTS

TREND IN AUSTRALIA REVERSION TO AMERICA fFROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT] SYDNEY. Feb. Q3 A continuous and serious decline in the proportion of United Kingdom motor-cars and commercial vehicles on the road in Australia is noted by the Senior British Trade Commissioner, Mr. R. W. Dalton. During the depression and while the United States remained solidly on the gold standard, British cars gained tremendously in favour. As buying power increased, buyers in Australia reverted to.American cars. "Australian import figures show that when the United Kingdom share of the Australian market begins to decline the United States' share begins to rise," Mr. Dalton stated in his annual report to the British Government, "The truth is that the percentages of the United Kingdom and United States have varied almost directly with con-' ditions of variation in the motor-car trade alone." A bis difficulty for British car manufacturers, Mr. Dalton stated, was the fact that the largest body builders in Australia had allied themselves with the makers of the American cars, which had the largest sale in Australia. In spite of the Ottawa Agreement. British trade to Australia had declined appreciably during 1934-35. and figures for 1935-36 showed a further decline. Foreign countries were increasing their export trade with Australia. British manufacturers must adapt themselves to new conditions and concentrate on specialised lines.