British Makers at the Montreal Show.
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MITE Montreal Motor Show, which 1 was held from January 23rd to 30th, included an important section devoted to commercial motor vehicles, and a number of well-known makers exhibited their latest models, Canadian, United States and English concerns being represented. Whilst not strong numerically, the English exhibits received much attention, the vehicles shown being of Thornycroft and Leyland manufacture, the former being represented by two models, a 80-cwt. and a 4-tonner, and the latter by one model, a 2i-ton tanker, of which seven have been ordered by the Imperial Oil Co. (the Canadian subsidiary of the Standard Oil Co.), and six by the Canadian branch of the Shell concern. In addition, the Leyland exhibits included an engine in section.
In view of the big development which is taking place in Canada in the direction of passenger transportation by motor vehicles, it would appear to be a matter for regret that no English motor buses were shown. Possibly English manufacturers are not fully aware of the interest which is being awakened in that country along these lines. Never theless, it is a fact that Canadian and American manufacturers are taking advantage of the-situation that has arisen and are entrenching themselves strongly in this new field of development.
Such English manufacturers as are already established in Canada find themselves at a disadvantage in this particular section of road transport activity, inasmuch as Canadians have adopted—as in many other cases— American ideas of the passenger-carrying vehicle. Thus the Canadian demand is for a low load-line single-deck bus of the totally enclosed saloon type, with left-hand drive. A Canadian correspondent tells us that in the case of at least one well-known English vehicle on the Canadian market the left-hand drive is simply unobtainable—a real handicap to securing orders in Canada.
Amongst the Canadian exhibits the most complete was that of the Gotfredson Corporation of Walkerville, Ontario. This company, one of the oldest Canadian manufacturers, showed six models, of which two were passenger vehicles of the luxury type. Another exhibit was a special florist's delivery van, a very
handsome model, with the body painted in silver grey. In addition, the company showed outside the exhibition building a six-wheel saloon bus, with drive to the four rear wheels. The General Motor,a Cp., who also manufacture in Canada, had an interesting display, ranging from light delivery vans to heavy trucks. The ubiquitous Ford was, of course, present and was shown with a varied display of bodies. The Reo vehicle was exhibited, the models shown being the popular Speed Wagon and a very handsome single-deck saloon bus.
Prominent amongst the American displays were those of the White Co. and of the International Harvester Co. In the section devoted to accessories English exhibitors were represented by the Herbert Frood Co. with an excellent display of Ferodo brake linings and also by the Solex carburetter.
The Show was well attended, and interest in the motor vehicle section was much in evidence, as is indicated by the fact that one truck exhibitor reported sales amounting to over £20,000 in the first four days, whilst others announced good results.