NEW MOTOR-CARS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 3, 5 January 1939, Page 10

NEW MOTOR-CARS

ORDERS LIMITED

SIX MONTHS' STANDARD

(Special to the "Evening Post")

AUCKLAND, This Day.

Licences to import motor vehicles for six. months to the same value of the import figures for the first six months of last year have been-granted to motor importers in Auckland. According to those who received licences yesterday, no restriction was placed on foreign car products in favour of British products. ' :

Most importers, anticipating. increased business in" .the sale of new cars,, accordingly raised their import estimates for the first half of the.current: year. Those granted licences found that ho provision was allowed for increased business, but' that the same figure, which they stated as their import total for the JanuaryJune ; period of last year, was 'the 'fixed quota for. this year's • imports.'

It. was-evident that imports* would be

based solely on the total value of vehicles, as there was no direction that the number of units should be reduced. Importers agreed that it might be necessary to readjust orders for smaller and cheaper cars in preference to larger and more expensive makes, in order to spread their imports to meet the greatest demand. It was appreciated that there would continue to be some market for heavy cars, but it would be difficult to place orders.

An importer of completely assembled American cars said he was not disappointed with his licence, but rather experienced a pleasant surprise that his imports would not be drastically reduced. He said he had applied for a higher import figure than that which was* granted in accordance with last year's imports, but he had expected something more upsetting. "I believe that provided the total imports are not i reduced too substantially, the restrictions may have a stabilising influence on the car market," this importer added. USED CAR IMPORTS. An executive of another import firm said no advice or licence had yet been granted in respect of unassembled cars imported last year from America, which would in future be imported from the Canadian factory. The same company found that its licence, covering the import of British cars completely assembled, showed some reduction, but it would be impossible to state the true position until the licences for all branches of the firm's imports had been obtained.

Licences have also been granted for six months for the importation of used cars ordered from abroad before the restrictions started on December 5. The licences were stated to be very vague,-making no mention that future importation of used cars would be prevented, but stating that it would be necessary to procure • special licences for vehicles ordered after December, 5. One prominent dealer said he was not disappointed, and had decided, as others had also done, to concentrate on dealing in the local used car market.