BRITAIN'S MOTOR TRADE

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 47, 19 November 1926, Page 8

BRITAIN'S MOTOR TRADE

GROWTH IN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND. Great satisfaction at the growth of Britain’s motor exports to Australia and New Zealand is expressed in a recent bulletin issued by the Association of British Motor Manufacturers, Ltd. Referring to tire position and prospects in Australia and New Zealand the writer says:— , , "This extraordinary growth of British motor export business is not passing unnoticed bv the foreign competitors of the British industry. The writer has before him a comprehensive report issued to the members of an important trade association in the United States as the result of an investigation conducted in Australia by a very experienced member of that association.. This gentleman pointed out that the United States motor manufacturers were not holding their own in the Australian market. He quoted figures comparing the imports of cars into Australia from various sources during the first six months of 1924 and of 1925. These figures showed an increase of 139 per cent, in British imports and an increase of onlv 11 per cent, in United States imports. Imports from Canada actually showed a decrease of about 16 per cent., and imports from European countries an increase of the same percentage. He attributes the remarkable increase in the sales of British cars in Australasia to two main causes, the chief of which is the high efficiency of the export sales representatives of British concerns. These men, he says, are chosen verv carefully, and when they arrive they’ settle down in the territory for a number of yeais and play their part in the civic and economic development of their adopted country. He points out, moreover, that the European tvpe of light car appeals very strongly to many Australian buyers, particularly gaining favour in the main centres of population. As some 60 per cent, of the population of Australia is to be found in cities of 25,000 people or over, these light cars would still be able successfully to attack this peremtage of the total possible market even if, bv reason of their somewhat narrow wheel track, moderate power or other causes, they were not altogether suitable in some of the country districts.

“Subsequently his report deals with matters connected with the internal organisation of the motor trade and not directly concerning the private motorist. He indicates that in some cases distributors and agents of American manufacturers feel their position to be somewhat insecure. Such questions are matters for discussion in trade journals rather than in the public Press. There is. however, no doubt but that at one time the influence of the retail motor trade was so brought to bear as sometimes to favour the American as against the British car. The fact that this is no longer at all likely to be the case is a cause for satisfaction to those who have the welfare of the British industry at heart. Unquestionably, British manufacturers are now doing everything they possiblv can to cater for the Australasian and other export markets, not only by the provision of thoroughly snitable vehicles, but by the creation of reallv efficient organisations for the sale of these v chicles and for thoroughly adequate sen-ice to the individual motorist. "It is a sign of the times that it has recently been decided to appoint a competent whole-time secretary of the motor section of the Australian Association of British Manufacturers, and their Representatives. This association hss already collaborated with energy and success in the organisation of all-British motor shows in Australia under the auspices of the Association of British Motor Manufacturers and of the British .Cycle and Motor Cvcle Manufacturers’ Union. The cost of ’maintaining a competent permanent secretary and of providing

the necessary funds for his office and travelling expenses will be directly borne by the British motor manufacturers acting through their central association.”