'hat about GuylDairnier?
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MAPS nowhere more than in the world's motor lustry is there an inherent desire towards merging lual producers. This was tacitly admitted by Sir e Harriman, BMC chairman, and Sir William , Jaguar chairman, when their merger plans were need this week. "In line with the world trend is larger and more comprehensive units ... better ied to secure the economies of large-scale producwas how they described it.
ically uninterested in the mechanics of production impany finance, the user of vehicles wants to know me thing—can he still buy the makes he has usly bought, or will some models disappear? commercial vehicle world, unlike the private )rld, users do not buy particular marques solely 3e of sentiment. Their selection is governed by erations of reliability, ability to undertake c work, service, availability of spares, and so on. big question in this latest merger is whether will continue unchanged the current Daimler id Guy goods vehicle ranges. Broadly speaking, ors who have bought these vehicles have been red to pay the slightly higher price required for in exchange for desirable design qualities, either vehicle or the engine.
far, BMC have concentrated their strength in vans and the lighter ranges of commercial vehicle. They have not offered a genuine p.s.v. range. There is a growing awareness, particularly by Bedford, Commer and Ford, of the heavy vehicle market in which Guy sell and it can be expected that the Commercial Motor Show this September will see extensions by at least one of these makers into the heavier categories. For various reasons the Leyland group and specialist producers such as Atkinson, ERF and Foden are quoting long delivery dates.
In short, the present market situation in this country is such that it is virtually certain that BMC will try to develop the Daimler and Guy ranges rather than introduce new and untried versions of their own. If these vehicles find sales outlets from existing BMC dealers then it may be possible that increased sales will result , in more economic production and some reduction in basic price, although these days one cynically tends to discount any move in that direction.
Another basic consideration with commercial vehicle users is the current continuing shortage of spare parts for almost every type of vehicle. It may be that BMC will consider using part of the Guy/Daimler manufacturing capacity for the increased production of spares for their own, as well as the Guy and Daimler, vehicles. Overall, therefore, it seems unlikely to suppose that the BMC/ Jaguar merger will adversely affect commercial vehicle operators in this country.