LETTERS TO OVERSEAS READERS.
Page 22
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No. 9.—Vehicle Bodies and Rapid Loading.
THE CONSTRUCTION of motor vehicle bodies represents a class of manufacturing industry that can be' far more easily developed in very many countries than can the construction of the
chassis. .
For one thing, the purely engineering job in metal requires a very expensive plant which can only be justified by repetition work on a fairly large scale. Thus, the small man, dependent mainly on hand labour and only capable Of producing a few cars in a year, would have no chance whatever in competition with bigger concerns. At the same time, it is useless to provide a big standardiied output to fill a small and varied market.
The case of the body builder is different. Body design cannot be advantageously standardized to a similar extent, because it must be dependent on the exact requirements of each vehicle user' these requirements varying as between almost any two' trades. Requirements vary also according to locahties, and the local coach-builder has in certain respects a distinct advantage against a competitor at a distance, even if the latter is operating on a far bigger scale.
Again, the business of a local coach-builder can he advantageously combined with an agency for some suitable types of chassis. His local connection with vehicle users adds attractiveness toan agency proposition put forward by him to a motor manufac-" turer. Plenty of possible sales are spoiled not by any defect or unsuitability of the chassis, but simply owing to the fact that the body does not appeal to the prospective buyer as being just right for his requirements. On the other hand, many, sales are effected more on the strength of an attractive body than anything else. Obviously, if a coach-builder can establish a good local reputation, the., chances are that he will be able to sell a fair number of complete motor vehicles. Thus, he has two strings to his bow while his body-building business is still too small to represent a really substantial proposition on its own account.
I would like to suggest to the existing or potential body-builder overseas certain points to be borne in mind in developing his business. One fairly obvious claim that he can make is that his local knowledge assists the proper choice of materials for local use. The materials used with success in some countries may be open to obvious objections in others. A less, evident point is that he can encourage custom by offering his clients something which will save them money. The man who buys a complete vehicle from a distant manufacturer is generally content with a body of standard design. The local coach-builder is, however, in a position to point out to him how he can do better. Knowing the dstails of his client's trade, he can indicate how departures from the standard body may make the complete vehicle more efficient, and therefore may justify the higher cost that is perhaps incurred in the first instance. Particularly, this kind of knowledge should enable him to incorporate practical devices for saving time that would otherwise be wasted in loading and unloading. The provision of such devices has not up to the present day been given anything like sufficient attention, partly because no one device can be standardized as applicable to vehicles, owned in a large number of trades.
Engine Power for Loading -and Unloading.
The efficiency of some devices intended to facilitate rapid loadilig and unloading are dependent upon the utilization of engine power. Thus, for example, a vehicle may befitted with a crane, engine driven, or with a wire rope gear similarly driven and so fitted as to enable heavy weights to be drawn up a sloping way into the body. Again, rapid unloading can be secured by providing a side-tipping or end-tipping body operated by the power of the engine, generally through the medium of a pump and ram. The incorporation of any of these devices _involves the active collaboration of the Chassis manufacturer. We ca, however, have side-tipping and end-tipping bodies operated by hand with the assistance of simple gears the construction of which should not be beyond the powers of the local engineer. In some trades detachable bodies may be used with advantage, but the chances are that the prospective vehicle owner will not realize this unless somebody on the spot can demonstrate .clearly to him the way in which the system will benefit him. In connection with the construction of detachable bodies, there is plenty of room for ingenuity in respect of the system of fastenings that will give rapid detachment and equally rapid but thoroughly secure attachment.
In connection with detachable bodies, there are some subsidiary jobs to be undertaken. Platforms need to be provided, on which the bodies can be kept while being loaded or unloaded, but from which they can be rapidly run off on to the chassis frames. This means the provision of some simple system of rollers on a structure which is otherwise a plain earpentery job.
Tbe individual construction of bodies of cars involves additional expense. Nevertheless, it is, to my mind, good for the motor industry. Anything which tends to reduce delays in loading and in unloading or to increase the all-round utility of the vehicle adds to the chances of that vehicle being a financial success. Upon its success or failure may depend the subsequent sale of quite a considerable number of other
vehicles in' the same district. WANDERER.