Resurrection in Germany
Page 30
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AFTER visiting various German factories and the Frankfurt Motor Show, it is difficult to believe that the Germans have fought two major wars in 30 years—and lost both. The towns and roads still bear the scars of battle and the workers look impoverished, but because of American and British aid. the vehicle industry is again well on the way towards recovery.
It is strange to see in a vanquished country, resplendent factories designed and erected since the war, and equipped with the latest workshop machinery, having been stocked under the Marshall Aid Plan. Such establishments, often superior to most in Britain, are found in certain sectors of Germany, and their office accommodation is palatial.
Admittedly, in some zones, notably in the heavy engineering regions, assistance has not been lavish. The Henschel factory, for instance, where locomotives and heavy commercial vehicles are built, has few amenities As the production centre of the Tiger Tank, it was razed to the ground by the end of the war and because of its association with heavy engineering, the factory was not freed from military control or allowed to resume normal production until two years ago. It is also on the border of the Russian Zone, so that the reason for not restoring it is obvious.
The hard-dying Teutonic spirit has overcome all the obstacles and new Henschel chassis have been designed and 400 produced in the interim period. In addition, three more new models were shown at Frankfurt.
In the more favoured areas, new designs of lighter vehicles have been rapidly developed, and in one factory the present output is 50 per cent. above pre-war level. There is alleged to be a shortage of steel, but from the humorous way in which this is referred to in all parts, one is led to believe that there is a thriving black market in all controlled supplies.
The Frankfurt Show was undoubtedly a festival to convince the people and foreign visitors that Germany is again a powerful producer of any type of road vehicle. British politicians would be advised to take heed of events and ease the strangling restrictions on output in Britain. New equipment similar to that in German factories should be made immediately available in this country, regardless of where it might be obtained or of dollar expenditure.
The alleged shortage of labour would be alleviated by the introduction of such machinery and the resultant increase in output, in relation to manpower, would justify the cost.
Unless an immediate effort is made in this country to compete more vigorously, Germany will regain her pre-war markets, and establish new ones. It is acknowledged that the financial aid given to her has been used to benefit industry, possibly at the cost of the people's comfort, and it is obvious that the slightest opening into any market will be widened ruthlessly