Vauxhall Output Drop: First Time Since 1952
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FOR the first time since 1952, output by Vauxhall Motors, Ltd., last year fell, Mr. G. N. Vansittart, chairman, and. Mr. Philip W. Copelin, managing director, revealed in their annual report on •Wednesday. The decline was caused by economic conditions.
Sales of cars and cofnmercial vehicles last. year. ..totalled 123,643-; compared s with 142,149 in 1955. Total sales turn. over for the year wa £lhn. 'as against £75m. • in 1955. ' Commercial-vehicle output dropped by 12 per cent.
About 52 per cent, of output was exported and, including spare -parts, was valued at over £31m. Although the Bedford range' of middleweight trucks showed an improvement in export sales, total export deliveries declined by 12,020 to 64,051. Nevertheless, deliveries to Canada increased by 70 per cent, and substantial advances were reported in shipments to Finland and West Africa.
Home sales dropped by 10 per cent. to 59,592 vehicles.
The net profit of £3,934,443 Was equal to 5.5 per cent. of sales and other income. Taxation absorbed £2,451,771.
HORSEBOX GRANTED FOR HUNT WHEN Messrs. James Travel Agency, vv High Street, Sherston, Wilts, sought a B licence for two vehicles before the Western Licensing Authority on Tuesday, it was stated that one of the " vehicles, a horsebox, was required by the Beaufort Hunt. The only other horsebox available in the area had been taken away, and the Hunt had to hire from Larnbourn 30 miles away.
Applicants were agents for Associated Motorways, Ltd., and Ribble Motor Services, Ltd., and carried Sheraton villagers to Bristol to connect with these operators' ' services. The other vehicle was required to carry travellers' luggage, but applicants undertook not to carry the luggage of railway passengers.
The Authority granted the application, allowing the horsebox to operate within 10 miles and the other vehicle within 30 miles.
PRESSURE FOR FUEL-TAX CUT DOTH the British Road Federation
and the Traders' Road Transport Association are pressing not only for the abolition of the extra Is. a gallon on the fuel tax, but also a reduction of the basic duty. The Federation say that in the next rationing period consumption of fuel will be more than 90 per cent. of normal, compared with 70 per cent, when restrictions were first in force.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer could not justify his argument that the additional shilling was necessary to maintain the level of fuel-tax revenue.
Mr. F. D. Fitz-Gerald, national secretary of the T.R.T.A., points out that a substantial cut in the fuel tax would decrease Government expenditure.