The Waikato Independent. THE PAPER THAT COVERS THE WAIKATO. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1921 EDITORIAL NOTES

Waikato Independent, Volume XXI, Issue 2488, 29 December 1921, Page 4

The Waikato Independent. THE PAPER THAT COVERS THE WAIKATO. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1921 EDITORIAL NOTES

1922—A Light Car Teai. There is no doubt that 1922 is going to be the light car year. There are two principal. reasons for this development in the automobile world, the one financial and the other technical. High prices combine to force the motorist to seek economy in every possible way, and the difference in running expenses, to say nothing of first cost, between the big five-seater car and the medium or lightweight four-seater is very considerable. The technical reason for the popularity of the small vehicle is the great improvement in design during the past few years. The little fourcylinder that only a few years before the war would have been considered quite unfit for serious work is now able to hold its own in any company. Comparatively light small four-seater bodies and chassis are now the order of the day, and in conjunction with highly efficient, lively little engines, combine to produce motor vehicles of first-class performance. In fact, many motorists, who in pre-war days drove their 20 and 25 horse power cars have found that they have sacrificed practically none of the pleasures of motoring by changing to the modern economy car. The whole trend of the automobile industry just now- (says the N.Z. Mercantile Gazette) is towards the reduction of expenses by turning out smaller and more economical vehicles.