British Motor Cars

NZ Truth, 25 October 1924, Page 8

British Motor Cars

■♦ Opportunities m New Zealand. A Visitor From England. An interesting visitor to New Zealand at the present time is Mr. H. P. Henry, who is a member of the executive council of the Association of British Motor Manufacturers. He left .England a year ago for the purpose of making a first-hand investigation of overseas markets. Naturally, Mr. Henry is m a position to speak with authority on the outlook for British trade m various parts of the Empire, and m other countries also. He is, of course, particularly interested m the motor industry, especially as affecting the firm he represents, . Messrs.,, Armstrong-Siddeley Motors, Ltd., of Coventry. This company, by the way, is allied with Sir W. G. Armstrong, Whitworth and Co. Ltd., the great Empire organisation that has secured the contract 'for the construction of the Arapuni hydro -electric installation. A 40,000 MILE JOURNEY. Mr. .Henry is optimistic as to the future of the British manufacturer overseas. "Having travelled over 40,000 miles since leaving England last October," he says, "I am firmly convinced that British cars can and will m the future be sold m increasing numbers. " "It is an undoubted fact that, generally speaking, British motor manufacturers are now offering better value at lower prices than actually existed prior to 1914, although the cars have been improved both m design and efficiency, and the equipment included is considerably greater than, in pre-war days. ''Everyone knows that conditions prevailing' in Britain at the. end of the war prevented the immediate re-es-tablishment of British motors m overseas countries, but to-day, the situation is vastly different. "Several British manufacturers are now displaying considerable alertness and enterprise, and it is gratifying to see that exports of British made motor-cars for the first six months of 1924 have increased by 100 per cent, over the corresponding period of 1923." BRITISH SENTIMENT HERE. Mr. Henry states that by reason of the strong British sentiment , m New Zealand, m his opinion there is every prospect of a keen demand setting m for British cars, as soon as the public realise they can get the right machine at the right price. ' "The people of this country," continued Mr. Henry,' "need no reminder that Britain is New Zealand's best customer. I understand that ' the United Kingdom takes something like 85 per cent, of New Zealand's exports, so it is a matter 6f fairness 'and logic, as well as good business, that the British car should find a hearty welcome m the Dominion. Of course, sentiment does not count for much m commerce, but it is a fact that the matter of dollar exchange is not improved by New Zealand's large annual payments for foreign cars." Mr. Henry was reminded by the interviewer that i everything depended upon the quality and value offered, and the visitor heartily agreed. "After all, it is quality that is the chief 'selling point' of the British manufacturer. We claim that first cost is not everything, and that maintenance charges and durability should be carefully considered by the motor buyer. In fact, our case rests chiefly on quality of material - and workmanship. Prices moreover, are how being brought down to a strictly competitive basis."