South America Offers New Scope: Prejudice to be Fought
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DRITISH small commercial vehicles, such as vans, pick-ups and station
wagons, have gained a good reputation in Venezuela, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Cuba and Mexico. These markets were visited last year by the United Kingdom Trade Mission.
The mission's report, which was issued on Tuesday, says that minor modifications to vehicles have been recommended for certain markets and they should bc given sympathetic consideration, Prospects for heavy commercial vehicles are, says the report, less eaty to assess. At present, the market is dominated by American manufacturers. Some British heavy vehicles have not given the service expected of them and the situation has been aggravated by the lack of spares.
In some markets, the report continues, there is a strong preference • for petrol engines, even in the heavier vehicles. The reason usually given for this is that there are neither drivers nor mechanics possessing the necessary experience to deal with oil-engined vehicles, and in many markets the question of fuel economy is unimportant.
It is considered, however, that a market for British heavy vehicles could be developed, but there is a certain amount of prejudice to be overcome and it will be necessary to go carefully into the causes of the alleged failures which have been experienced in the past.
For instance, a specific complaint made in Colombia referred to the excessive heat in the driver's cab on a particular make of British vehicle, as well as the burning of exhaust manifolds. It was pointed out to the mission that the broken and heavy nature of the territory entailed a good deal of lowgear work and that much running time was spent at high altitudes, In dealing with passenger vehicles, the report says that apart from one market, in which a consignment of British buses had been exceptionally badly treated by drivers and the local maintenance staff, there was no evidence of the introduction of British vehicles. Here, again, the markets are dominated by American vehicles. In some cases, only the chassis are imported, the bodies being built locally.
In general, the report continues, the standard of the vehicles in use, where imported complete or partly built locally, is not so high as that of the average passenger vehicle available from this country. In view of the steadily expanding market the mission feel that this potential source of dollar income should be given prompt and energetic attention by British manufacturers.
In the main cities, replacements will soon be required for many of the indifferent vehicles at present in use, and as the road-building plans now in hand will establish better lines of communication between the country areas and their distribution centres, there will be a greater demand for better buses.
Copies of the report, price 4s. 6d., can be obtained from the Stationery Office.
underfloor engines. Its features are that it can be adjusted for either fiveor six-cylindered units, it can be folded when not in use, and twin castors are provided at two points for stability. One of the jacking points has a locking device which retains the engine jacking peg in a socket to prevent tilting.
NEW ATLAS PUBLISHED
ACLEAR and well-detailed road atlas covering England, Scotland and Wales has been published by George Philip and Son, Ltd., 30-32 Fleet Street, London, E.C.4. It is entitled the " Energol Road . Atlas." The maps arc printed in full colours, and give all class A and B roads, together with mileages between various points. The page size is 81 in. by 11 in. and the atlas is priced at 7s. 6d.
CONCOURS AT MEASHAM
A T Measham, on May 12, a Corona
tion concours d'elegance will be held in which coaches and goods vehicles may be entered. A first prize of £25 is offered, with a further £50 if the vehicle is subsequently sold in the auction.
Entries should reach, the marshalling parks on the previous day, if possible, or not later than 10.30 a.m. on the day of the concours.