MOTOR COMPANIES ON WAR WORK

Evening Star, Issue 23368, 11 September 1939, Page 11

MOTOR COMPANIES ON WAR WORK

The British and French Governments have cause to be thankful for the existence of their respective automobile industries, for without the extensive modern engineering plants- of motor manufacturers and their experts and craftsmen, both countries would have been in a bad -way as regards military requirements. In Britain most of the leading motor companies are engaged in some form or other in engineering work for the war authorities. The same applies to France, where part of Ford’s new factory has been set apart for the manufacture of Rolls-Royce aero engines, under license. Other motor plants engaged in similar works are the Berliet, which are making Bristol aircraft engines under license, the Darracq making Pratt-Whitney aero engines, while one of the Del ago plants lias been purchased by the French Government for aircraft production. The Hispano-Suiza motor plant has dropped making cars for the present to devote all its attention to aero engines.

As most of this extra work is being carried out in new premises, with new plant, the production of automobiles has not been greatly disrupted, and outputs are being well maintained, and, in some cases, being increased, one instance in England being nearly 60,000 Morris cars delivered to distributors and dealers in the first six months of this year—a record for Lord Nuffield’s organisation.

Needless to say, engineering craftsmen are at a premium in both countries.