French Competition.

Progress, Volume II, Issue 8, 1 June 1907, Page 289

French Competition.

In this connection the things to be remembered, as has been well said, are :—: — A. In the beginning England had the lead in locomotive invention and enterprise, the continent being nowhere. B. In consequence of absurd legislation which strangled invention, the English automobile movement of about 1830 was reduced to a moiibund condition. It did not regain its vitality until the passing of the act of 1896 when France had already gained considerable advantage in the contest for supremacy of the automobile industry. C. But since then, year by year, Great Britain has overtaken France — so much so that now a large number of English people who formerly would only purchase Continental cars are now convinced that the best English cars are at least as good as the majority of French cars. D. Frenchmen who have studied the latest models of the best English makers admit that there are few points, if indeed there are any, in the French cars which entitle them to be regarded as superior to English cars of certain makes. E. As to the six-cylinder cars, England is undoubtedly at the head of the movement, the Napier being the first six-cylinder car.