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Better prospects for bodywork

12th May 1967, Page 124
12th May 1967
Page 124
Page 129
Page 124, 12th May 1967 — Better prospects for bodywork
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

rTHE greatest sphere of activity on the Continent is taking place in Eastern Europe where the demand for both goods and passenger vehicles is outstripping the supply from local manufacturers. Well known is the interest expressed by the Soviet Union in the possibility of buying complete British buses and a delegation headed by Mr. N. I. Strokin, deputy minister of the automobile industry, recently visited Duple Motor Bodies Ltd. and MetropolitanCammell-Weymann Ltd. as well as visiting Leyland Motors Ltd.

However, the interest in British vehicles is not confined to the Soviet Union and a number of Communist countries are either involved in negotiations for British vehicles, complete with bodies, or are already operating some. For example, no fewer than 103 Albion Reivers with Duramin bulk loading bodies are already operating in or are on order for East Germany. These vehicles are being employed on the carriage of animal feeding stuffs, grain and similar products.

Gutekrefpverkehr, Eastern Germany's largest road transport organization, is operating 30 Leyland Beaver tractive units hauling refrigerated bodied trailers built by Smith's Delivery Vehicles Ltd. Once again, these were sold through the chassis manufacturer, and Smith's reported that they normally traded through the chassis manufacturer for bodies on vehicles other than their own battery-electric vehicles.

Bonallack and Sons Ltd. have also been active in Eastern Europe, exports to these countries having consisted hitherto entirely of Pneumajector pneumatic discharge powder tankers. These have been sold to the Soviet Union, Hungary and Czechoslovakia.

Meanwhile Oswald Tillotson Ltd. is one of the manufacturers trying to get established behind the Iron Curtain, while Gloster-Saro reports the sale of aircraft refuellers to Eastern European countries.

Turning to passenger vehicles the competition here is becoming really intense, although it is confined mainly to three groups—the Leyland Motor Corporation, Metropolitan-Cammell-Weymann Ltd.., and Duple Motor Bodies Ltd. Leyland's activities have already been described; MCW is involved in negotiations with Rumania, the Soviet Union and Eastern Germany; and Duple is also negotiating with Eastern European countries.

MCW's negotiations with Rumania are for the sale of 100 Olympic buses and the company is also quoting for lighter vehicles. A demonstration vehicle is expected to go out in a few month's time. Negotiations are also taking place for the possible establishment of a bus-building factory in Rumania. Mr. R. T. Knowles, general sales manager of the company, has been very active personally in this field.

For the Soviet Union MCW is offering the Olympic X integral bus, possibly to be fitted with Russian engines. Quotations have also been made to East Germany for the sale of 50 double-deckers, on Leyland Atlantean or Daimler Fleetline chassis. The company also reports considerable interest in the new Metropolitan-Superior body now available from MCW, and many quotations have been made for this model.

Duple Motor Bodies Ltd. also reports that the Russian delegation showed considerable interest in the Loughborough range of bus bodies built by Willowbrook Ltd. Particular interest was shown in the new Willowbrook-bodied Daimler Roadliners exported to Canada and the last of these vehicles was inspected. All in all, there may soon be a considerable export of complete British vehicles to Eastern Europe. F.K.M.