Rumania as a Market for Commercial Motors
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MHE demand in Rumania for cow mercial-motor vehicles has been phenomenal during the past two years. This is exemplified by the American export figures. During the years 19191926 Rumania took an aggregate of 152 American lorries and buses, the unit value being £176. In 1927 the total rose to 740 (unit value £79) and in 1928 to 1,267 (unit value £114). In addition, Rumania took 238 lorries (unit value £72) from Canada, probably a similar number from Italy, 147 from Germany and 27 from France. This country's share was 17 complete vehicles (unit value £317) and 36 chassis (unit value 1223).
At the beginning of this year 6,499 lorries and 1,394 buses were registered in Rumania, 60 per cent, of the lorries and 90 per cent, of the buses being North American. Most of the remainder are Italian, French and German, but it is encouraging to note that during the year registrations of British vehicles in Rumania were more than doubled.
Rumania now ranks sixth among the petroleum-producing countries, and the availability and comparatively low cost of petrol (8 lei per litre, or about 10d. per gallon) is a factor calculated to give an impetus to the development of the motor trade.
The best season for sales is from March to August, and, to a lesser extent, in October and November. The early spring is particularly favourable for sales, as it is during this time that the oil and other industrial companies are making their annual dividend payments and when semi-annual rentals are due. Demand, except in a few large cities, is restricted to light lorry chassis with a loading capacity of 30 cwt. to 2f tons. Chassis priced at more than £200 ex works in this country would be very difficult to sell.
In three years motorbus registrations have increased from, 401 to 1,394. The greater number of these vehicles consist of old car and light-lorry chassis, locally made bodies of the char-a-banes type and of cheap construction being generally superimposed.
The importation of bus bodies is precluded by the heavy import duty.
• Commencing August 1st last,, ad valorem import duties have been altered as follow
The failure of the 1928 corn crop, bankers' restrictions, and the inclement spring of 1929 are factors that threaten adversely to affect the market.