MOTOR VEHICLES.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 November 1924, Page 4

MOTOR VEHICLES.

IMI-OIITATION J-011 QCAItTIIJI

Auckland, Xoveinbei- ii ; Auckland’s importation of motor: cars, in the quarter ended .September 30, totalled 001, or only throe-fifths of the number (1101) imported in the corresponding quarter last year. This is quite the most striking feature of the quarterly return made hv the Comptroller of Customs. Dominion figures show a very small shrinkage and, if the Auckland totals are not ineluded, the rest of New Zealand actually imported more ears hast quarter than in the corresponding period a year ago. Despite the decrease in motor-cars motor-lorries have been brought into the country in groat numbers. Auckland's figures are:—2oo this quarter, as against 201 in the .September quarter of 1023, an increase of <5(1; while the Dominion figures are “70 and 300 respectively an increase of 182.

This indicates that, while people may lie economising in cars for pleasure, there is no hesitation in buying motor vehicles for business or commercial iise. Linder the heading “lorries’’ are included trucks, vans anil ’buses, so that part of the increase may he accounted for, in Auckland at least, by the great expansion of motor passenger business.

With regard to motor-ears,'there are •some notahel features as to the country of origin. Britain has again doubled her trade, increasing from 110 ears to 228 in the last quarter. The falling oil' in number# from Canada is almost negligible, being 2000 as against 2012 a year ago. For the United Stales article a deeFca.se was recorded, the figures being 1090 last quarter as against 1312 a year ago, a decrease of 210. France sent 18 cars, ns against none last year, ami Italy 32 instead of 12. The increase of popularity for the British article is maintained among the commercial vehicles. Auckland bought 23 lorries etc., from Britain, as against 0 a year ago. The respective figures lor the Dominion are IOS and 13. Canada sent 102. as against lot! lniries lo Auckland, and 397. as. against 392, tn the Dominion. The United States made a handsome advance in both fields, Auckland taking 80. against -12, and New Zealand's 270 against 100. The figures show a marked advance in New Zealand body-building business for 170 car chassis were imported as against 302 a year ago. Car bodies of course, rail for much more elaboration than loirv bodies, ami the latter are now priu tieally all made locally, Of 200 lorries, vans, ’buses etc., imported into Auckland last quarter, 2-tL were landed without bodies, the corresponding figures for the Dominion being 779 and 713. That is, only 2(1 complete lonics were imported, of which 19 were for Auckland.

The great increase in the importations of British ears, naturally, will he set down to the advent of a lighter type. This assumption is home out by the returns, the average value having fallen in twelve months from £391 (o £319. These values represent the current domestic, values in the country of export . plus 10 per l ent. The same canse •riinnot lie sail! to Juive proilueeil the great increase in lurries imported from Britain, as the average value has risen from £l3l to £Oll. Canadian makes still predominate throughout- the motor trade, however, the sister dotuin ion supplying more than half the ears or lorries imparted into either Auckland or New Zealand.

When the total imperial ion el' ears ami lorries into New Zealand is taken u is round that the numbers have inei eased l.oiu 1719. in the September quarter. 1923. to 1717 last quarter. The total value increased from £017,012 to £901.071. Tile apparent discrepancy is explained by the greater number and liiglfi average value of lorries imported, and by the fa• ■ I that Canadian ears, wliiih represent more tlia’n half the total numbers, im lea-eil in average value from £l2O a year ago to £ll2 to-day. In the last nine months 11.099 motor vehicle-, have arrived, of a total value nf £2.-MO,3(11. as against 10.30(5 valued at £1,003.09] in the first three quarters of last year. These totals show that mi.ilnr vehicles are entering the country at. the rate of .12 a day or 301 a week. Last year the rate to the end of ScploiiiFer. was 38 a. day or 200 a week. The hill, even on the very conservative basis taken for Customs purposes, is about £9.300 a day. or £OO.IOO a weel;. which .has increased from £012.) a day or £12,910 weeklv.