BRITISH MOTOR INJURY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 186, 7 August 1936, Page 11

BRITISH MOTOR INJURY

RECORD PRODUCTION EXPECTED The British motor industry con- ! tinues to make headway, says the Economist of June 27. Production of 1 both private cars and commercial i vehicles during the 12 months ended September next will, in all probability i reach a new record. The number of private cars produced during the six , months ended last March, as estimated by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, was 179,672, an increase of 18,507, or 11.5 per cent., over the corresponding period a year ago. Private cars in use in Great Britain rose from 1,370,785 at the end of May, 1935, to 1,536,514 at the end of the past month, an increase of 12 per cent. The expansion in the production of commercial vehicles was scarcely less marked. During the six months ended last March the number of commercial vehicles produced was 53,594, an increase of 5227 units, or 10.8 per cent, over the corresponding period last year. The number of goods vehicles in use in Great Britain increased from 409,935 at the end of May, 1935, to 432,258 at the end of the past month. In contrast to the | rapid increase in the number of private cars and goods vehicles on the road, the number of commercial passenger vehicles ("hackneys") in use declined slightly, from 79,884 in May last year to 79,263 at the end of last month. Since the beginning of the current motor season last October British manufacturers of private cars have gained further ground abroad, total exports during the eight months ended last May amounting to 39,720 units, against 35,272 units during the corresponding period a year earlier. Imports, on the other hand, have declined, from 8878 units during the seven months ended in April, 1935, to 7458 units during the corresponding period of the current season. The experience of manufacturers of commercial vehicles has been less satisfactory. Imports rose from 1126 1 units during the seven months ended I April, 1935, to 1347 units in 1935-36, j while exports declined from 10,214 units to 9707 units between the first i eight months of the 1934-35 and 193536 seasons. Since February, however, exports of commercial vehicles have exceeded those of a year ago. By all appearances, the barometer is still “set fair” for the British motor industry, which, incidentally, has a direct interest in the Government's rearmament programme.