IMPORTATION OF CARS

Hokitika Guardian, 7 May 1924, Page 4

IMPORTATION OF CARS

AUCKLAND, May 3

The striking increase in the importation of motor vehicles into Now Zealand recorded ill 102.') will he totally eclipsed in 1021, if the gain for the lirst quarter of the current year is a lair criterion. Tn 1023 three times as many motor vehicles were imported as in 1002. In the Jirst quarter of 1021 almost twice r.s many wore brought into the country as in the corresponding period of last year. For the lirst three months of 102! .0178 vehicles, valued at £002,830 wore imported, as against 2777 and £-188.700 in the lirst quarter last year. Auckland's contribution to the 1024 opening was 1-108. and £230,144 as against 800 and £148,701. It will lie noted that Auckland's share of the trade, both in numbers and value i.s nearer one quarter than the third her population justifies. The reason, the •‘Herald’’ remarks, is

dou.nlo.ss to lie found in the deplorable slate of the roads in the province. Of Auckland’s tr.ital 1408 vclticiles. IOOt came from Canada, 200 from United States. ;T3 from Britain, and the remaining one from France. The proportions for New Zealand nr • practically the suuo. but although Canada, .supplied over 70 per cent, of the vehicles imported last quarter their value was only about on per cent of the toal. lie cost per unit being £l4B. The average cost of American vehicles is £2OO and of British £4OO. The importations of ears are not increasing : 1 1 the same rates as those of lorries. In Auckland the number ol lorries landed in the last quarter was 272, as against 82 in 1023. ’I he figures tor cars in 1023 were 1100 and /81 respectively; that is, the imports of lorries increased hv 230 per cent., and those of cars by only 10 per cent. For New Zealand the percentages of increase are 34(1 and 70 respectively.