THE STRENGTH OF THE INDUSTRY
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A VERY good idea of the national 1-1 importance of the motor industry of this country is strikingly revealed in the 1935 edition of 'The Motor Industry of Great Britain," a publication of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, which is really something more than a mere collection of interesting facts and figures, because it provides a good opportunity for a close study of the problems of the industry.
The latest edition of this useful handbook, which deals with the period to the end of 1934, not only contains a vast amount of statistical data, winch indicate the expansion that is taking place, but covers the pressing problems of the industry. It is divided into 11 distinct sections covering the subjects of roads, taxation, legislation, production, imports, exports, registrations, world registrations, rubber and tyres, marine motor craft, and motor spirit and oil. The export section has been considerably extended and now includes a survey of overseas markets.
The tables dealing with the production of motor vehicles in the United Kingdom show the growth of the industry in the past 12 years. In 1923 the total production was 95,000, including 23,604 commercial vehicles, whilst at the end of September, 1934, the comparable figures were 342,499 and 85,633. respectively. There was a substantial increase in production during 1934, the commercial-vehicle total being 20 per cent. up on the corresponding figure for the year 1932.
In the section dealing with registrations it is shown that there were 1,874,013 motor vehicles (apart from motorcycles) in use at the end of September last, this figure including 420,799 goods vehicles and 86,900 hackney vehicles. The handbook, which certainly forms a handy reference medium, is issued at the price of 2s. 6d., and is obtainable from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (Statistical Department), 83, Pall Mall, London, S.W.1.