BOOM IN MOTOR-CARS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 667, 20 May 1929, Page 16

BOOM IN MOTOR-CARS

CANADIAN MAKES SHOW BIG INCREASE ALL ROUND RISE IN IMPORTS The figures for motorcar importations for the past three months, have shown a remarkable increase. Canadian cars have had such a boom demand this year that the value of imports for the period is ten times greater than those for -.the first quartd' in 1928. This remarkable, increase is indicated further in the general imports, the total dutiable value showing a rise of 106 per cent, on last year’s aggregate for the quarterly period.

The total dutiable value of imports of cars, chassis, and commercial conveyances from Canada rose from £38,545 last year to £447,557 this year. This is mainly due to the fact that, during the first quarter last year, a popular Canadian car was off the market pending the production of a new model. American makes, although Canada has beaten them for pride of place, show another increase, and imports from Great Britain and Belgium have also risen. The position is shown in the following table of the full im-

“EMPIRE CONTENT" The import value is made up of £839,778 for cars and car chassis, and £237,886 for commercial vehicles and chassis. Another reason for the comparatively small rise in imports from the United States is that, since last year, two makes formerly classed as American have attained the 50 per cent. “Empire content,” entitling them to preferential tariff. Although New Zealand-constructed car bodies are equal in workmanship to imported, only 152 of the 5,598 cars imported last quarter were bodyless chassis. The imports of cars and car chassis for the first quarters in the last three

For the year ended last March 31, the total imports of motor conveyances represented £3,319,.654, against a sum of £1,876,386 in 1927-28. A slight drop was shown in the value of tyres, tubes, and covers, the import cost being £1,047,117. The values of “other parts” and motor spirit also declined.

ports for the quarters:—■ 1928. £ 1929. Canada 447,557 Cnited States .. . .. "43,398 442,236 Great Britain .. . .. 137,117 184,572 Belgium . .. 1,799 3,299 Italy Totals .. . .. £ 521,263 £1,077,664

years are: — 1927. 1928. 1929. United States ... 1,528 2.025 2,124 Canada . . .. 271 2,741 Great Britain .. 764 557 723 France .. .. Belgium .. . 5 10 Italy 1 — Totals .. 2,861 5,598 Canada has taken the lead in the imports of commercial vehicles and chassis, the numbers for the lirst ouarters of three years past being: — 1927. 1928. 1929. United States .. .. 333 2S6 745 Canada .. .. 6 769 Great Britain .. .. 60 75 147 France .. .. Belgium .. .. 1 2 Italy — — Totals ~ ... 886 368 1,663