MOTOR TRADE CONDITIONS

Taranaki Daily News, 20 October 1933, Page 6

MOTOR TRADE CONDITIONS

BUSINESS STILL ERRATIC LESS MAJOR REPAIR WORK DONE. DEMAND FOR USED VEHICLES. EFFECT OF BETTER “CAR SENSE.” Now that motorists have become “carwise” to a greater degree the amount of major repair work offering to garages has decreased considerably, but this has been offset to a good extent by the larger ratio of cars to population, with resultant running repairs and adjustments. Interesting facts in regard to the motor trade on both the sales and service side were given to a Daily News reporter yesterday by a leading garage proprietor. The approximate figures of new car sales from the registration of motor vehicles gives the sales for September at 13, August 11 and July 17, or in other words more sales were made of new vehicles 'in mid-winter than in September, the first month of spring. However, nothing can be taken for granted as present conditions are erratic. This applies to all phases, both sales and service. For instance, some days there is not enough work to keep repair shop men going; on others there is too much. Used cars are selling fairly freely—a good “second-hand” is readily disposed of. A feature of this side is that many people who are buying used cars are not going in for economy cars because of the price that is being placed on these cars through the demand for them. These purchasers are not making the first loss greatest by purchasing cheap cars regardless of the economy aspect.

TRADE CONDITIONS. Trade conditions are steady but show no great advance. From the general appearance of many cars seen about which have not been receiving regular attention because of lack of finance it would appear that major repairs would soon be necessary to keep these cars on the road or make them reasonable to run.

An important factor that has made repairs drop off is the improvement in the wearing qualities of component parts of vehicles. One instance is brake linings. The older type of woven lining would last on an average 15,000 miles. Under the new system of internal braking the moulded linings used do 30,000 miles. Flywheel ring gears are another example. Some years ago these were made of soft steel and with the advent of the self-starter onwards there was considerable business in replacements costing £2 5s to £3, according to the type of car. Twelve to 18 months ago the hardened steel ring gears were introduced and are original equipment on modem cars and replaced on older vehicles when necessary. The result has been a considerable dropping-off in this branch of repairs.

Repair shops have now to depend on the number of jobs, which is governed by the number of cars on the road. In other words, with the increased ratio of cars to population, whilst the improvement to these new cars has lessened the number of major repairs, the larger use has had a compensating effect in the natural increase of minor running repairs and general adjustments. There is an improved car service among drivers, who are more familiar with the mechanical condition of their cars. This has meant that they are able to detect minor faults before they become serious and make minor adjustments themselves.

People going away on motor trips are not having their cars so thoroughly overhauled as in former years. They have only the absolutely necessary repairs done and leave the rest to luck, which means often a long delay on a lonely road.

The number of cars left unregistered during the winter is uncertain. Reregistrations have been normal but usually a big rush sets in around Christmas. It seems apparent that it is only the private owner who uses his car for pleasure only who keeps it out of commission in the winter. The businessman and farmer keep their cars going all the year round. Christmas will see the usual demand by small parties for the cheap £5 to £lO car for the purpose of a vacation or camping trip. The price is low and divided between a party is negligible. Consequently if the car lasts the trip only they get good value.