OPINIONS FROM OTHERS.
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The Editor invites correspondence on all subjects connected with the use of commercial motors. Letters slioa2d be on one side of the paper only and typewritten by preference. ' The right of abbreviation is reserved. and no responsibility for views expressed is accepted.
The Great Second-hand Question.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
11669] Sir,—I do consider that I am able to see as far ahead as "Inspector," or even the writer who claims, in your issue of January 23rd, to be a Manufacturer, and I still think the scheme of the manufacturers having all their Government-owned vehicles back to put into order, and then sell them, with the manufacturers' warrants behind them, is bad policyr from the manufacturers' point of view. In addition, the scheme, as originally propounded and officially advised to a Committee on which I was acting, was so eh.% iously one-sided that it could never come into practical working.
The modification now made makes it fair and equitable from a Government point of view, but I much doubt it being practicable from the point of view of some of the manufacturers who have supplied really large quantities of motorcars, if they are returned as• quickly by the Government as was at one time anticipated. . It may be that many of the vehicles will be worn out in use abroad now that peace can be seen to entail such a prolonged occupation of enemy territories by armed forces, and, if this is the case, our motor industry will be saved from what almost looked like a great disaster. To me, it is difficult to conceive anything worse from a manufacturer's point of view than to have to repair and sell in two years, under a guarantee as to fitness, four to five years' output of vehicles from their individual factories.
Speaking entirely from the motor manufacturers' point of view, it would be best, of course, if the vehicles were all kept abroad or were lost at seas but, failing this solution, I still believe the less the factories are troubled with returned vehicles the better for the factories. At present, the Government seem to be selling what they have for sale by auction without guarantee, but I do not notice the manufacturers of the cars buying them to repair and resell again with their reputation behind them. However, I am free to hold the opinion I do, and will believe your correspondent is right when I hear of one manufacturer, who has sold two or three years' output to the Government, taking half of them back in twelve months and repairing them.—Yours S. F. EDGE.
In considering the question of the surplus motor vehicle, we have to remember that the problem in respect of commercial vehicles differs very radically from the problem in respect of private motorcars. The aggregate figures in the latter case are comparatively small, and it is quite probable that, provided the Government offers satisfactory terms, perhaps including temporary financial assistance, manufa,c-Liners will be-willing to re-purchase their .machines with a view to subsequent resale. Even in this section, much depends on the date at which the surplusmachines are made available and Whether this date materially precedes the date upon which any consider. able output of new models becomes practicable.
In the ease of the commercial vehicle the whole position is quite different. The aggregate numbers are likely to be extremely substantial and, consequently, the proposition that a manufacturer should buy back all his own stuff would be a very big one. Without extremely generous financial treatment it would be impossible but, even with such treatment, it is more than questionable whether it would not represent a risk that no commercial vehicle rnanufaetimer would be prepared to make. One must remera036 ber that commercial vehicles are even now being produced in considerable numbers, a fact which has an important bearing upon the position.
As regards the progress of the arrangements which are being made to deal with the whole problem, the latest information is quite satisfactory. Users must not, however, expect to have surplus vehicles offered to them at all at a very early date or at a very low price. The Government has no intention of giving away its property, but will expect the full market value for it. The manufacturer and retailer have interests which in this respect are entirely in line with those of the Government. The bargain hunter is likely to be disappointed, and so is the man who is inclined to sacrifice efficient transport for the present . in the expectation of obtaining exceptionally high efficiency in the near future by having at his disposal first-class vehicles purchased at ridiculously (low figures.—En. " C.M. '
Canada Asks British Makers What They Intend To Do.
ne Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
(1670] Sir,—General interest is being taken in Western Canada in the question as to whether the British manufacturers intencl to take any steps to develop the Canadian market for motor vehicles, and particularly those for goods and passenger transport. It is felt that the British manufacturer is in a position to build a vehicle that would compete' not only in price but more so in quality, with the American product, which is at the present time generally in use in the Dominion of Canada.
Before taking any steps looking toward such development, the British manufacturers must familiarize themselves with conditions in Canada as many of the British models are not suitable for this market owing to the difference in wheelbase, wheel gauge, etc., and it is vitally necessary in order tot make the establishment of any agency in Canada a success, that a stock of spare parts should be available without having to wait, when they are urgently wanted, until such time as they could be admired from England.
There will undoubtedly be a very large market in the near future for a well-built commercial 'vehicle if the same can be produced at a price that will enable it to meet American competition, as with a very general improvement of road conditions which is being brought about through the efforts of the various motor associations, there is an ever increasing tendency to make use of the motor vehicle for haulage within a radius of 25 miles of the towns and cities.
Many of the British manufacturers do not realize the extent of the territory which is comprised in the Dominion of Canada, nor are they aware of the fact that Eastern and Western Canada. are practically two distinct markets owing to existing geographical conditions, and they can readily secure accurate informas tion as to conditions by applying to the headquarters of the motor trades associations in any of the large cities such as Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg, Regina and Vancouver.
This letter is written simply with the idea of bringing this matter before the attention of your readers in. the hope that it may do something towards fostering trade relations with the mother country.—Yours
faithfully, A. C. EMMETT,
Secretary Treasurer,
Winnipeg Motor Trades Association.. Winnipeg Automobile Club. Manitoba Motor League. *