Long hard fight
Page 66
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
IN REPLY to John Henebery's letter (CM, May 18), I would like to substantiate his claim that driving a Leyland should carry a "Government Health Warning".
I am a driver employed in Edinburgh by a firm operating several Leyland vehicles. They consistently break down through non-availability of spare parts from local dealers who, I presume, are supplied by the Bathg ate plant.
More often than not, our spares are machine-made on local engineer's lathes, proving costly and less effective than original parts.
As for driving a Leyland vehicle in our bleak Scottish winters, I wonder if Michael Edwardes intends to supply the drivers with thermal underwear. Leyland cab heating systems are ineffective and in warm weather it's like driving a noisy, smelly hot-house on wheels.
I think Leyland's design team could do a lot worse than to produce a survey on drivers' likes and dislikes. I am certain operators will bear me out in saying a comfortable driver will be a great deal more productive.
I am sure many operators. have "Buy British" in their hearts but have turned to foreign vehicles for all-round reliability and service.
Michael Edwardes has a long hard fight ahead of him and I sincerely hope he makes it. Some day, if and when he has conquered the British market, exports should automatically follow.
I trust BL appreciate some constructive criticism.
ERIC GRIERSON, Lithlingow, West Lothian