Absent Spares
Page 21
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ASK the majority of operators and manufacturers in Britain whether they honestly consider that there are adequate spare parts available in this country, and they will answer "No ". Ask the same executives whether they honestly think that all " bought-out " components on current chassis are adequate for the design of vehicle, and they will answer "No ". In raising these points The Commercial Motor is not trying to be sensational, or to score in mud-flinging fashion from manufacturers largely unwilling to speak up for themselves since they are on—broadly speaking—a licking to nothing anyway.
The facts, however, remain and cannot be considered a satisfactory state of affairs. Indeed, the Leyland chief, Sir Donald Stokes, recently said that he thought the position with regard to spares would soon improve. Nobody would seriously suggest that components are always right for the job—nor are they always easily replaceable. This, it would seem, is largely a design matter between the purchasing department of the chassis manufacturer and his designers since price must always be equated with ideal design. Is it not questionable, however, whether price does not all too often take too much precedence. Manufacturers tend to say that operators always want the cheapest; but is this really true, or is it a convenient way of ducking the issue when it arises? Does a matter of even £50 make that much difference on a vehicle costing anywhere between £1,500 and £3,000?
In any case, is not the basic responsibility that of the chassis manufacturer? He must stand by his selection of components, regardless of reason for that selection. If operators are too insistent on sheer price perhaps that should be counteracted by harder selling.