South Africa Biggest Money Customer for British Commercial Vehicles
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LASTyear the Union of South Africa, in terms of money, was the biggest overseas buyer of British commercial vehicles, purchasing 13,300 to the value of £9,127,170. In numbers, Australia was the largest purchaser, taking delivery of 15,950 vehicles to the value of £8,013,300.
Next largest markets were New Zealand (8,142 vehicles, £4,582,510) and British West Africa (8,077 vehicles, £6,197,880). Biggest non-Commonwealth customer was Argentina (4,848 vehicles, £4,720,842), followed by Denmark (4,692 vehicles, £2,346,003) and Belgium (3,257 vehieles, £1,672,661).
Exporters' Data These figures are given in the 1958 edition of " The Motor Industry of Great Britain," published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, 148 Piccadilly, London, WA. A special feature of this edition is the tabular form in which the construction and use regulations of 136 different countries have been prepared. This is a more comprehensive and easily read treatment than has been applied before, and enhances the value of the book to exporters.
Figures are also given for the overseas trade of various other vehicle-producing countries. From these it can be seen how Britain's efforts have produced results second only to those of the U.S.A., whose lead over this country is largely maintained because of her trade with other dollar territories.
In 1957, the U.S.A. exported 193,982 vehicles, 127,996 of which were exported to other American countries. This figure exceeds total British exports of 123,283 which, however, compares favourably with Western Germany's total overseas sales of 82,033. Next largest competitor was France, •who produced 33,355 vehicles for export, 20,935 of which went to Africa.
People per Vehicle An interesting table lists the numbers of commercial vehicles in use in different countries and the heads of population per vehicle. The territory with the fewest persons per vehicle is Alaska (12) followed by Australia and New Zealand with 13, Canada and certain islands with 15, and the 'U.S.A. -with 16. In Britain there are 38 persons per vehicle, Russia 67, France 35 and Western Germany 73.
Apart from the U.S.A. with over Ilm. commercial vehicles in operation and the U.S.S.R. with an estimated 3m., Britain with I.3m., France 1,27m. and Canada.. 1.1m. were the only countries with commercial-vehicle strengths running into seven figures, although Japan almost approached this magnitude.
West German Total Countries next strongest in commercial . vehicles were Western Germany with • 758,887 and Australia with 726,593.
Members of the Society are entitled to a free copy of the book on request. Additional copiesto members are sold at .E2 2s. whilst the price to non-members is £2 10s.