Makers to Urge P.T. on Tonnage
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HEAVY-VEHICLE manufacturers are taking .up the suggestion made by Sir John E. Thornycroft, governing director and chairman of John 1. Thorn ycroft and Co., Ltd., in his annual report, that if purchase tax had to be imposed, it should be on a rated laden ton basis, irrespective of the cost of the vehicle. When all the necessary information has been collated by makers, a joint approach may be made to the Chancellor of the Exchequer,
Sir John complained that the computation of purchase tax by price, and the 20 m.p.h. speed limit on heavy goods vehicles, were stimulating the purchase uf vehicles that were unsuitable for export, were encouraging overloading, and causing operators to buy low-priced, vehicles.
The nationalization of road transport is, however, also having a drastic effect on the home market for vehicles built by members of Rritavema. It is understood that the Road Haulage Executive is cancelling orders placed with some of them for the delivery of the lighter types, and maximum-load four-wheelers and six-wheelers.
Orders fa; the lighter vehicles are being given to the manufacturers of low-priced lorries and vans. Only eightwheelers, it is stated, are now being purchased from the heavy-vehicle makers.
In addition, as reported in "The Commercial Motor" on November 10, the British Transport Commission is likely to order 200 eight-wheelers from its own manufacturing unit, the Bristol Tramways and Carriage Co., Ltd. This . represents a large loss of revenue to independent manufacturers.
A strong fear is growing in the industry that it may become impossible to make maximum-load vehicles for overseas, because of the virtual collapse of the home market.
It is understood that preference is also being shown to the makers of light vehicles under the "...armament programme.