MOTOR IMPORTATIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 7 February 1924, Page 4

MOTOR IMPORTATIONS

A STRIKING INCREASE. AUCKLAND, Feb. -I. A striking uiereas;.* in the. number and value of motor vehicles imported into New Zealand is shown by the figures tor the last year compared with those for 1922. According to a return specially compiled for the "Herald” by the Comptroller of Customs, the value of last year’s imports was £2,421 ,043, against £881.131 in the previous year—a threefold increase. The number of vehicles represented is 1it,944. against 3999. The imports of motoi'-hicyclc- were valued at £142.■ll7 as against £34.3(59: motor tyres nere valued at £7411,223, a- against £-178,230 in 1922. The average cost of each imported vehicle last year was £173, as against £229 in the previous year. The all-round reduction was therefore £47 per unit, equivalent to about 20 per cent. Another reading of the figures is that the demand was for a lower-pined article. and examination iA importations according to country of origin hears out this explanation. The redaction in price and the demand for cheaper motors, taken together. are tin* apparent cause el t tie pronely reduced cost per unit. Lower prices ere.-uiup a keener demand will also have been in part responsible for the abnormal importations. A greater measure of prosperity in town and country, and a greater buying power i> also indicated. The ia to of increa.-.' for motor-cars was. however, greater than that for (•rmimoKial vphiclos. in which classification ;n included, lorries, trucks, vans, and irises. Twenty-nine per cent, of lasi ■'car's importations by numbers, and .ib."it the same pr.T(v-ntagr: by value, i nine r- Auckland.

Examining the imports according to ooiinirv ol origin, it is shown that in numbers Canada leads any other country. The preponderance in vt:ue. however. is by no means so marked ; m fact, it is lost in the return for commercial vehicle*, ft borer* hist gear 920 Canadian lurries, etc., cost A.5!..oS9. 2 17 of British make cost £121.034 an average roughly of £9O against £;■)•)(>. Similar striking re cits demonstrating the cheapness of the Canadian priduct can la' obtained under sever"! headings. The import* from Canada am! the United States have tn-cvea-ed at a much greater rate than those from Britain. This indicates a greater demand for lower-priced motors. The expansion of the motor body building industry is also seen in G'C returns of vehicles imported without bodies. A total of 7-18 was credited ip Auckland under this bead last year. !1S against 174 in 1922. Urn- (lie whole Dominion ill" (•anvMmiidmg figures oj -1 ogai ll -1 Ri.to. an increase ol 0(U( ‘per ceiiU Ol chassis imported without bodies, by far tin- greater proportion arc for commercial 'chicles. The New /.calami figures last year s ]„,u- that of 12.339 cars imported. ~I,IV 913 came without bodies, while «t 1353 commercial vehicles imported only |7 mine will) bodies.