Rapid Changes in Car Trade

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 450, 4 September 1928, Page 6

Rapid Changes in Car Trade

In America New Makes Gain Precedence During the last two years more changes have taken place in the automobile industry, especially the position of the leaders, than during any former period with which it might be compared. This also is true with the addition to new lines of automobiles, and the discontinuing of.what once was considered the limit of. speed, durability and comfort. And prices have continued a downward trend that a few years ago was not thought possible. With all this behind them, car builders are not idle. Their aim is still for better and less expensive carsi and the successful efforts of their automotive engineers will be seen in future models. Remarkable Indeed has been the changes in positions. Two years ago, Ford as a quality producer, was far ahead of all opponents in his particular low-price field with apparently no chance of his being ousted from his lofty position. Then something happened. His sales suffered a rapid and continuous decline that nothing, not even a new model, would check. Cars are not wanted in quantities that kept production anywhere normal. SENSATIONAL CLIMB Chevrolet began a sensational climb, and was soon the leader of its field. In fact, the position of the first ten companies made a rapid change after occupying practically unchanged positions for several years. During the early weeks of 1927 positions began to change. Ford was still leading at the end of the first quarter, but Chevrolet had narrowed the gap to a fraction of what it had been. Hudson-Essex, holding fifth place, climbed to third. Buick was fourth, and held it while Willys-Over-land continued sixth. Dodge dropped back to seventh and Oakland-Pontiae almost doubled its sales to make eighth place from eleventh. Then Ford fell to eighth in the list. In 1928 retail sales again changed the list. Chevrolet lengthened its lead, followed by Hudson-Essex, Oak-land-Pontiae sprinted from eighth to third position; Willys-Knight-Whippet, fourth and Buick was pushed back to fifth. Chrysler was sixth and Dodge seventh, with Studebaker-Erskine, Hash, Oldsmobile, Durant-Star, Hupmobile, Packard, Cadillac-LaSalle, Graham-Paige, Reo, Marmon, Chandler and Auburn placed in order named. In Nairobi, Cenlral Africa, the wholesale cost of petrol in bulk is 2s 9d a gallon, though the value on which duty is paid in Kenya and Uganda is only lS 3d a gallon. The cost is thus doubled owing to the heavy taxation and railage costs before it reaches the consumer.

(AUCKLAND AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION). The signposting truck of the Auckland Automobile Association has recently done extensive work on the No. 15 highway (Paeroa to Pokeno). In the near future the following roads will be covered: Hamilton to Thames. Morrinsville to Taupiri. Morrinsville to Taupiri. t> Road directions will also be directed on the Ohinewai-Tahuna-Mor-rinsville route, and from the junction of this route from Patetonga and Xaihere. Following that, the Kawhia roads will be visited to place signs in readiness for the summer touring. ROAD REPORTS With the extension of touring staff of the A.A.A. it is the intention of the association for the coming summer to issue regular road reports through the medium of its agents, weekly and daily if necessary. Reports will be telegraphed to the information bureau at Auckland, from whence a continuous supply of information will be forwarded to agents, on the conditions of all road, particularly those which provide trouble in wet weather. | This service is of course available |in the principal centres, and particuI larly at the head office of the A.A.A. But it is the aim of the Council of the A.A.A. to extend these benefits to the country members and the travelling motorist. ENGLISH A.A. SERVICE. In a letter recently received by the touring manager of the A.A.A. from Mr A. Dunscombe Allen, touring manager of the English Automobile Association, Mr. Allen states that the A.A. Technical Department. is willing and anxious to render service to overseas motorists in the purchase of cars for touring the Old Country. The visitor has only to consult the A.A. Technical Department and then receives advice according to his apparent requirements. The association does not participate in the sale or purchase of cars. Its advice is gratuitous and free to members of overseas automobile associations. This service will no doubt be a great boon to members of the A.A.A. in touring England and the Continent, and is a guarantee that the cars they buy will be in good order and give satisfaction for the conditions on which they are used. BABY AUSTIN’S FEAT A remarkable feat for a “baby” car has been achieved by an Austin Seven at Montlhery, France, where Captain Chase has beaten the 24-hour record, held by a French car, of 40.86 m.p.h. Captain Chase averaged 66 m.p.h. for the 24 hours, thus covering 1,584 miles, ©ver the last four laps the Austin was. given full throttle and reached 80 m.p.h. Many other records were broken during; the run.