Austin Sales in Canada Shoot Up: "Stand-up" Van Under Way
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A party of Press representatives which includes Mr. L. J. Cotton, of "The Commercial Motor," is visiting the U.S.A. and Canada under the auspices of the Austin Motor Co., Ltd., to be shown how the export drive in the North American market is progressing. In the course of the tour, the representatives will meet members of the Canadian Government in Ottawa, and will be able to inspect the Austin sales and service organization in New York.
From L. J. Cotton VaNcouvEa, B.C. TN the first five months of this year, 1 the Austin Motor Co., Ltd., has sold over 300 commercial vehicles in Canada. In 1947, only three Austin goods chassis were sold there, but between August and December, 1950, 200 were delivered.
This success has been achieved by studying the market, as was made clear when, on August 2, an Austin exhibition was opened in Vancouver by the Hon. Byron 1. Johnson, M.B.E., Premier of the province of British Columbia. On show was the whole range of standard Austin commercial-vehicle chassis, as well as a 25-cwt. model with locally built bodywork and the new estate car based on the A70 chassis.
Three versions of the A40 model Were exhibited, various types of 2-ton chassis, 5-tonners with drop sides, tanker and dump bodies, as well as passenger chassis. A battery-electric vehicle and three types of Stacatruc were also displayed, together with sectioned engines, gearboxes, axles and components.
Units manufactured by Armstrong Patents, Ltd., Champion Sparking Plugs, Ltd., Dunlop Rubber Co., Ltd., Girling, Ltd., Joseph Lucas, Ltd., Smiths Motor Accessories, Ltd., and the Zenith Carburetter Co., Ltd., were shown and other stands were provided by oil companies. It is believed that a stand-up-drive delivery van based on the 2S-cwt. chassis is under development for this market. Present indications are that it will have an oversize clutch, and a special frame with a dropped centre. The locally bodied one on show had a swivelling pedestal seat and a straightforward entrance on each side of the seat, with a simple step and riser.
. Another indication of the effort math to interest Canadian operators, is the development of a high-speed _petrol engine for use in vehicles operating on the eastern seaboard of Canada, where there are no speed restrictions. Lightalloy pistons are used.
Most of the lorries are on heavy-duty work, tipping, lumbering and running over earth roads. Normal tyres are fitted on the front axles, with -twin Dunlop Trakgrip tyres at the rear. Approximately 70 per cent, of the chassis delivered have Eaton two-speed axles.
Sales of Austin commercial vehicles are still increasing. Prices are lower than those of American vehicles on sale on the west coast, as the American vehicles have to bear high freight charges. Austin vehicles are shipped direct at low cost to Vancouver.
Local operators claim that the Austin vehicles are more economical, between 9-11 m.p.g. being possible with the Augtin goods vehicles, compared with 6-7 m.p.g. obtained from popular American types.
The question of spares has been carefully examined. In the case of vehicles operating far from depots, a "service pack" is provided for each vehicle, containing half-shafts, hoses, plugs, ignition components, etc. On return of the pack, a charge is made for all items used.
NEW BODIES ON AUSTIN MODELS
BOTH the Austin A70 pick-up and Countryman models are now available with entirely new bodies, and with Girling hydraulic braking. Previously, these models had a hydro-mechanical braking system.
A feature of the new design is the adoption of the Austin Hereford frontal styling. The leading dimensions of the pick-up are: Overall length, 14 ft. 115,i ins.; overall width, 5 ft. 9i ins.; overall height, 5 ft. 9 ins. Comparable dimensions of the A70 Countryman are 14 ft. 51 ins., 5 ft. 91 ins., and 5 ft. 71 ins.