Important Commer Announcements
Page 57
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IN the past few months a vast reorganization scheme has been undertaken at the works of Commer Cars, Ltd., Luton. A very determined effort is now being made to promote sales in every part of the world, backed by a highly efficient manufacturing and service organization.
Realizing the demand for forward control for goods-carrying chassis the company has introduced three new models of the driver-beside-engine type.
The are modifications of the three well-known chassis, the GS, G4 and 0,5. The pay-loads are 3 tons, 4 tons and 5 tons respectively, and the prices are, in the order named, 1635, 1750, 1820, these figures being in each case 125 more thrill the cost of the normal-control chassis. The prices apply to models on pneumatic tyres. The designations of the new machines are Gin, G1f4 and GF5.
Credit is due to the maker for the great care which has been taken to utilize existing types of component for these models, thus simplifying the maintenance problem. The steering box has been moved forward on the off-side frame member ; it has a three-bolt fixing. In a similar manner the brackets supporting the gear and brake levers and the clutch and brake pedals have been anchored to the frame well in advance of the position adopted on the normalcontrol types.
A single shaft couples the lower end of the gear lever to the selector crossshaft;, ball-and-socket joints are used ; chassis distortion cannot affect the striking mechanism.
The off side of the power unit is clear of all auxiliaries so that the maintenance engineer has been thought of in this connection. The remaining details of the specifications are the same as those of the • well-known, normal-control chassis.
At a display of the new models last week Lieut.-Col. J. A. Cole, 0.B.E.,
made an important announcement to the effect that the Commer concern will shortly be introducing a new model of a lighter type than has hitherto been marketed by this old-established maker. To cope with the increased demand for existing models and to allow room for extra plant for the new chassis, a fouracre factory is being prepared adjacent to the existing buildings.
A tour of the works reveals an equipment of up-to-date plant which is probably unique, even in the rapidly moving motor industry. The whole factory has been planned to eliminate the need for wasteful transport from one point to another of materials, semi-finished and finished parts. There is hardly a machine tool in use to-day which was in the factory a few months ago. It'is satisfactory to note that the new plant includes a much higher percentage or British-built machines than is the case in the average factory.
By the employment of rigid standards. throughout the process of manufacture —a vital need in the case of production on such a scale as obtains at Luton to-day—a second object is attained, namely, uniformly high quality. •
• In addition to the works facilitieS existing at Luton there are, of course, the Humber and Hillman factories at Coventry, Which work in co-operation with the Commer organization. It will thus be realized that the existing range of vehicles, and the new type which Col. Cole announced, will have every chance of becoming more widely known than ever. With the backing of Rootes, Ltd., the export side of the business is making remarkable progress.