World-beaters
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HERE is an absolutely certain forecast. When the figures relating to total 1961 exports of commercial vehicles are published during the course of the next few weeks, they will show another record-shattering year. The total exports in 1960 amounted to over 146,000 units worth some £1041m. This magnificent record has already been surpassed with the publication of the November, 1961, figures. In the first 11 months of last year the number of units exported has topped 156,000; by the close of the year it will probably prove to be around the 170,000 mark. The value of the January-November exports was £113m. So, with one month still to go. British commercial vehicle manufacturers have already topped their full 1960 totals—which themselves created new records.
This achievement, it might be added, has been in the teeth of increasing competition from the big Continental and American producers. How, last year, did these powerful rivals fare? In Europe, forinstance, Britain sold 29,218 commercial vehicles in the first half of last year; the U.S.A. sold 3,389; France exported 12,562 vehicles in Europe; West Germany 45,142; Italy 3,200; and Sweden 4,973.
In America, North and South, we sold 12,562 commercial vehicles; the U.S.A. 51,751; France 1,838; West Germany 10,799; Italy 269; and Sweden 772. How about Australasia? We sold 15,364 vehicles; the U.S.A. 540; France 401; West Germany 1,570; Italy 2; and Sweden 1. Then there is Asia. Here we sold 12,278; the U.S.A. 16,400; France 346; West Germany 3,480; Italy 187; and Sweden 678. Finally, Africa. Here we sold 24,359 vehicles; the U.S.A. 5,993; France 10,743; West Germany 7,370; Italy 599; and Sweden 364.
Now we know all these figures are perhaps indigestible: they boil down to an easily assimilated sentence. We exported more commercial vehicles than any other country; that fact is now well known. All the indications are that the full year will eventually prove to be as fine as are the known six-month figures. In the highly competitive world markets, vehicles sell because they are good. • British vehicles are world-beaters; the facts speak for themselves.