Rise of the Motor

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 92, 9 July 1927, Page 23

Rise of the Motor

Olympia Realisation of Vision Romance of Industry THE motor vehicle is to-day considered an essential factor in New Zealand’s development. The time was when motors were considered a luxury for the few, but the motor is now more than a pleasure car it is an absolute necessity. Motor transport has opened tip for settlement lands not previously available, has quickened communication between every town in New Zealand and has been a big factor in increasing the prosperity of the country.

With such a proud record of achievement, it is fitting that the industry should be brought regularly before the public. The best method of publicity was adopted by the Auckland Motor Trade Association when it inaugurated its annual Olympia Motor Show. The show enables everyone to see at a glance the progress that has been made, and the present position of the industry. THE USES OF THE MOTOR This year’s Olympia expresses this year’s belief that the automobile is now as important a factor in the community's progress as electric light or the telephone. The lifting of the motor vehicle from the field of luxuries to that of an essential method of transport has widened the work of the motor dealers. They have made for themselves a sales field limited only by the total population. A new industry has sprung up in the selling and servicing of motors. Coincident with this has been the steady advance made in mechanical invention and scientific discovery. Every community in the country is functioning at a pace made possible only by its motor vehicles. Thousands of people own private cars, while thousands more ride daily on motor-buses to and from their homes. It can safely be said that the motor in its various forms is vitally serving every industry in this Dominion. REMARKABLE DEVELOPMENT

At the motor show the public will have the opportunity of seeing the latest models of cars that have stood the hard test of service under New Zealand conditions.

Twenty-live years ago the motor was an interesting novelty—and an untried

possibility. There wtis much scepticism of its future and much sneering a.s to its ability. But the years of application of brain and enthusiasm have made it into what it is toda3' —a reliable scientific achievement. The first trucks were cumbersome and costly, and the possibilty of competition against horses was never considered. With trucks as well as cars intensive development and greater dependability, converted the public to the possibilities in its use. USE IN NEW ZEALAND

Since May, 1925, the number of motor vehicles in use in the Dominion has increased by 58 per cent. The rise is a record in the history of motor distribution in any part of the world. In the two-year period up to the end of May, 1927, the registrations in New Zealand had increased as follows: May, 1925. May, 1927. Cars 70,266 107,950 Trucks 13,184 23,469 Motor-Cycles 21,132 34,678 Total 104,582 166,097 These figures are nothing short of stupendous. The Dominion has risen to third place in the world automobile market, having one car to every 13 persons. If all classes of motor vehicles are considered the ratio approaches that of Canada, where there is a proportion of one car, truck or cycle to every 8.5 of the population. Only 30 years separates the cars at the Olympia Show on the Central Wharf from the pioneering mechanisms which were the subject of world-wide scepticism.

The story of the growth of the motor industry is one of the romances of the modern world.