Commercial Vehicle Possibilities in Argentina.
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Opportunities That Have been Neglected, but British-made Vehicles are in Great Demand, the American Vehicles Being Found Too Light.
The advantages in the Argentine of the commercialmotor lorry, of British manufacture, are wide, but have up to the present time been neglected. The private car, throughout the whole State, is in a large percentage of British manufacture ; in Buenos Aires alone there are 7000 privately-owned cars, of which 75 per cent. are British-made, and one feels very confident in saying that the commercial car, which has shown such great strength and endurance under terrible conditions in Fnance during the war, would with a little judicious and energetic pushing become as popular in this growing State as the private car of our manufacture is at present.
American Efforts Have Failed.
Many attempts have been made by American firms to introduce this particular branch of the motor industry, but they have failed miserably. The American commercial vehicles are too light, and when it is remembered that the road conditions of a few years ago were not so ideal as our own and those in the United States, it will easily be seen that the light vehicle is of no use ; endurance is the principal desideratum and the lessons learned from France should alone point out the openings for British lorries in this country.
Roads Improving Under British Managers.
Road conditions are now improving under the able directorship by British managers of the Argentine railways, many of which have formed a Road Board, allowing grants of money—to be correct 3 pet cent, of the gross earnings—to be set aside for the repair and alteration of the main roads and by-roads linking up the up-country estancias (farms) with the principal railway depots. At the present time, however, the only means of transport is by animal power, which, apart from its irregularity, is too slow for a country that needs energy to get good results.
All import duties, road weights, etc., are similar to the ones of pre-war days, and the petrol supply is practically unlimited. The Argentine Government owns extensive oil-fields in Rivadavia and large num
hers of tank steamers for conveying the spirit to Buenos Aires. The Mexican Oil Co.; also a British concern, have several large depots and tanks at the docks in Buenos Aires and a. goodly number of tank steamers running between that port and Mexico.
An Automobile Club._ There is to-day an "Automobile Club,. Argentina," which carries out many tests on road and water ; I mention the latter because a considerable amount of motor-launch work is being done on the River Plate, and the club's membership now includes anything upto 5000 members.
The agricultural motor is yet in its infancy, but really there are very. few countries that offer so splendid a-non,portunity for development in this branch ofthe industry as Argentina.
Trials carried out at many of the largest estancias have always favoured the British manufacturer, Ruston-Proctor and Clayton-Shuttleworth being. among the British firms which have gained a good reputation, but there is plenty of room for other firms. One should have branches in all, the principal towns of this promising country, but they should not be run by Americans, as is the case now, as these people naturally push their own goods, and, consequently, we were becoming pushed into the background.
Control of Rubber Tires Advised.
The rubber-tire industry is principally British, the • North British and Dunlop being well represented, but the German Continental Tire people were gradually getting the hulk of the trade, and it may be interesting to readers to know that the Germans own extensive rubber estates in Para and Brazil; it would be to the advantage of British manufacturers to control their sources of supply in a similar manner. The British manufacturer would do well to remember that the language of this country is not pure Spanish; it is essentially a language of its own, and the agents most qualified to represent British interests are Anglo-Argentilias who, with their knowledge of the language and customs, can combine the forcefulness of the British character.
During the last four years no fewer than six American, commissions have visited this country for the purpose of expanding trade, but during this period nothing has ever been hard of a similar British commission. It is uSeful to note, in addition, that during the war a French trade commission has also been over.
Best Type of Lorry.
The best type of lorry for this country would be the high axle threb to five-tonner class.
An exceedingly good service of steamers run between England and Argentina, the outward journey occupying only 22 days. ,
If a British trade commission is formed to visit Argentina and Brazil, there is no reason why. the commercial motor trade should 'not reach the high standard that the British mechanical trade has already reached. TRADER.