European Production Increasing
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A NUMBER of reports on production
over the past year and plans for the future have already been issued by leading commercial vehicle manufacturers in Western Europe. They include:- Daimler-Benz AG, Stuttgart: 'This German company, producer of MercedesBenz vehicles, announces an estimated 1960 output of some 72,590 commercial road vehicles, or about 10,000 units more than for the previous year. In midDecember the firm turned out its 200,000th goods vehicle since production in the 3.5 to 6.5-metric-ton class was restarted in mid-1949. The company expects a 1960 turnover for all production of over £235m., compared with £206m. in 1959.
NV Auto-Industrie Verheuk Waddinxveen, Holland: This bus producer, which last year introduced Holland's first standard motor bus, reports a good year for 1960 and an expected increase in orders in the current year. The company, which has taken over the automotive department of the well-known Dutch bus manufacturer Kromhout Motorenfabriek NV, has already received orders for 70 units and is in negotiation with a number of possible future customers. The Verheul plant at Apeldoorn is to take up assembly of units on the production programme of AEC, with which company Verheul signed an agreement in 1960.
Kliickner-Humboldt-Deutz AG, of Ulm: Maker of Magirus-Deutz vehicles. This German concern announces a 1960 output of 11,300 commercial vehicles, compared with only 9,710 units in the previous year.
Volkswagenwerk AG, of Wolfsburg: This German producer announces that some 610 " Transporter " Volkswagen vans are now being produced daily at its Hanover works.
Van Doorne's Automobielfabriek NV, Eindhoven: Producers of DAF goods vehicles and trailers. this Dutch company announces a doubling of goods vehicle output over 1960.
U.S. Tyres Prices Cut
I N America, the Goodyear Tyre and Rubber Co.. has reduced prices of lorry tyres by 71 per cent. The Firestone Tyre and Rubber Co., which started the downward trend with a recent reduction in the retail prices of car tyres, has indicated that it will follow Goodyear's move in regard to prices of commercial vehicle tyres.
Natural rubber fell in price in New York from 47 cents per lb. in June, to 28. cents in early December. Rayon and nylon, cord have also come down in price owing to competitive attempts by these two materials to corner the entire tyre market.