Following Our Lead, Says Mr. F. Perkins
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THE "time has now come when one of the vehicle manufacturers has begun to follow our lead and to manufacture Diesel engines for their own vehicles." This reference to the new policy of a prominent motor company was made by Mr. F. Perkins. chairman of F. Perkins, Ltd., in his annual statement published this week. " Nevertheless," he added "new uses for our engines are arising every day."
It was expected that output this year would grow as much as that of 1953. and that production would continue to rise in 1955. Better engines were being prepared.
Deciding that it was in the interests of the company to co-operate with the Indian Government in fulfilling their ambition to establish an indigenous automotive manufacturing industry. F. Perkins, Ltd., had signed an agreement with their Indian distributors to provide for engine assembly there.
Throughout India, 14,000 Perkins engines were in use. Some 80 per cent. of the oil-engined vehicles on the roads were powered by Perkins engines. "I believe our programme for India has secured for the company an appreciable part of the Indian market for cornmercial-vehicle Diesel engines for some time to come," said Mr. Perkins.
Arrangements had been made with some of the leading North American makers of vehicles and industrial equipment for the supply of engines to their sterling markets. During the year under review, a new dollar market was opened with substantial orders from Cuba. Spain and Italy bought more of the company's products.
An engine-reconditioning plant had been established at Dandenong. Australia, and an exchange scheme covering some 17,000 engines had been put into operation.