VEHICLE IMPORTS INTO NEW ZEALAND.
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British Motor Productions Have Not Yet Commenced to Pick Up Their Leeway. By G. H. Scott (the Prominent New Zealand Agent).
THE FOLLOWING figures, taken from the official return supplied by the Customs Office of New -Zealand, speak eloquently of the position of the British trade in motor vehicles in New Zealand. In spite of any statem.ents made to the contrary, the figures prove quite definitely that the British manufacturers of motor vehicles have not yet made any substantial shipments to the ,,country. Making a comparison between the figures of 1919 and the figures for the first six months of 1920, -there is certainly an improvement in the numbers of British vehicles imported, but the percentage in proportion to the American vehicles is very much Worse. The importations of vehicles from America and Canada for the first six months of 1920 were higher, than the total purchases for the whole 12 months of 1919. The percentage of British touring vehicles arriving in 1919 was 14 per cent. of the total importations. For the first half-year of 1920 this was 2 per cent. It is, however', gratifying to note, in regard to lorries, that the position has slightly improved during the first half of 1920. Three-fourths of the lorries brought in for the first half-year of 1920 were of British or Canadian origin. This, however, is largely accounted for by the importation of Ford lorries from Canada, otherwise the percentage is much the same as during 1919. My readers will, no doubt, agree with inn that it is very saddening to note that the importations of British touring vehicles during 1919 was only 1 e'
cent. of the total, when we eliminate the buying of Fords from Canada.
Of the total vehicles purchased, namely 5,091, for the year ended December 31st, 1919; only 68 vehicles could claim England as the, country of origin. For the first half-year ended June 30th, 1920, 5,418 vehicles were imported, of which only 106 vehicles
came from .England. •
I would also like to point out that the increase in the American importations during the-first half-ye:sr ended June 30th, 1920, has taken place in spite of propaganda work on the part of representatives of British motor houses.
These figures will doubtleas interest some of my readers who are manufacturers, among whom there are a number who believe that the American trade will be very easily displaced so soon as sthe British manufacturers 'have cars to offer. It is an accepted fact; among many traders in New Zealand with whom I am in constant touch, that, on the present prices, English cars will not influence the American ime portations to any appreciable extent: but most are agreed on one point, namely, that the above figures show, what a. wonderful market New Zealand is for motor vehicles and the possibilities for 'trade with British care when they can be called competitive. 'In considering the demand for American cars you must bear in mind the fact that all the„American cars sold in New Zealand are being sold at a price below what the same vehicle is selling for in England. c31