MOTOR IMPORTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 301, 21 December 1939, Page 5

MOTOR IMPORTS

GLOOMY OUTLOOK AMERICAN CARS ANXIETY AMONG DEALERS A possibility that no new motorcars will be imported into New Zealand from the United States next year is causing anxiety among Auckland motor dealers. Prominent agents reported this week that /they had received no indication from lhe Government regarding import licences for the third term, from January to June next year, but the belief was that new’ American cars would disappear, at least temporarily, from the New Zealand market as soon as present stocks had been exhausted. “We can never tell from day to day what is likely to happen, but we do know that the Government proposes to restrict dollar credits in order to preserve sterling funds,” one importer said. “It is therefore assumed that | lhe importation of American cars will I be banned for 1940." Interview With Minister. Representatives of an American motor firm were reported to have met the Minister of Finance, lhe Hon. W. Nash, last week. The Minister was said to have replied: "You are asking the Government to borrow sterling to ! pay for your goods in dollars, when ■ vve are seeking to borrow money for ourselves instead of sending it out oi the country.” “We are just forgetting our American agencies,” said a representative of another large firm which handles both American and British cars. "We have a few cars in slock, and they are selling quite well, but we are maKing no move to get more. The price would be up by 20 per cent., and we estimate that our £BOO model would have to sell at £960." "We can neither get stocks nor spar*’ parts," said a third importer. , 'Our stocks comprise two new cars, ■ and our assembly plant has been closed, resulting in 20 members of the staff being dismissed. Two months , ago we hart a staff of 40 people. Today we are employing 20. Those dismissed include assembly workers and • salesmen. Until tidngs improve we , will have to deal in used cars.” Models From Britain. i Importers of British models are ' rather more hopeful, although they, i too, are uncertain about next, year's [ imports. They believe, however, that I imports will not be entirely prohibited, and several firms which hold fairstocks report a reasonable demand lor the smaller types. I "It is just about as difficult as it ; can be,” one importer said. "FortunI ately, we hold fair stocks, but we have nothing on the water and the future i looks anything but bright. The war : has npthing to do -with this; internal ' legislation is responsible for the posi- | tion. ’The writing was on the wall long before the war began," he continued. ' "The demand for new motor-cars is nothing like what. it. was two months ago, but it is still fair. There are mainly three classes of buyers: i People who buy' a new car each year i as a matter of course, thrifty people : who are buying as an investment, and those who require cars for their busii ness. Small Cars in Dcihiukl. ! "Small models are worth their 1 I weight in gold," he added, in emphas- ; | ising the demand for economical types. - | The fault did not lie with the British ? exporters, the importer explained. He - said the Board of Trade was most r anxious that. Britain's export trade l should be maintained, and many New J Zealand agents had been advised by u their English principals that cars - were available. t The postion of many sub-agents was reported to be serious. It was slated [ that most of them are strictly i. rationed and others had been able to i secure no new cars from distributors. - . One at. least was believed to be on the i ■ ' verge of Hosing his business, and others ■ i i were doing their best with used cars.