1947 Output Exceeded in 11 Months
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By the end of November, 1948, the production of British commercial vehicles had exceeded by 1,563 the output for
the whole of 1947. Including 25 vehicles for the Services, 159,508 units were built in the 11 months ended November last, as compared with a total of 157,945 in 1947.
The increasing popularity of the battery-electric is reflected in the manufacture of 3,688 machines of this type between January and November last year, as against 3,275 in the whole of 1947.
According to figures issued by the. Society of Motor Manufacturers. and Traders, the output for November totalled 15,601 units, of which six were for the Services. Oveaseas markets took 7,026 vehicles, and 8,569 were retained for home use. Production by classes was as follows...---Under 15 cwt. carrying capacity, 5,751; 15 cwt. to 6 tons, 7,835; over 6 tons, 684; motorbuses and trolleybuses, 998; and battery-electrics, 333.
Production in October totalled 15,950 units.
Of the output in the 11 months ended November last, 76,728 vehicles were for export and 82,755 for the home market. Vehicles under 15 cwt. numbered 56.516; 15 cwt. to 6 tons, 81,950; over 6 tons, 5,334; motorbuses and trolleybuses, 12,020; and battery-electrics, 3,688.
1200 FOR EXPORT IDEA
A SPECIAL award of £200 has been Cl offered by the directors of Joseph Lucas, Ltd., to the employee who produces the best suggestion for accelerating the company's export drive.
A suggestion scheme, with cash awards, has been operated since 1923. Prizes are awarded monthly, and at the end of each year the directors give additional recognition to the originators of the brightest practical ideas. Seventeen "directors' awards," ranging from £80 to £20, have just been made to employees whose suggestions were found to be most successful in 1948.
GOOD NEWS FROM ULSTER
AHAPPY state of affairs in the supply of new vehicles is reported from Northern Ireland. According to Mr. J. W. M'Caughan, of the Ulster Division of the Motor Agents' Association, heavy commercial vehicles are coming through in more reasonable numbers, and by 1950, supply should
• have overtaken demand.
RECEIVER FOR PROCTOR
ARECEIVER has been appointed to Proctor Springwood, Ltd., Mousehold, Norwich, the maker of Proctor oil-engined goods vehicles.
ACQUISITION NOTICE FOR PETER WILKINSON
ONE of the oldest haulage concerns in the North of England, Peter Wilkinson, Ltd., Sunderland, is to be taken over by the British Transport Commission in May. A compulsory acquisition notice was served on January 1, but negotiations on the date of transfer are still proceeding.
The company has been in existence for well over 200 years and has more than 50 vehicles. The present managing director is Coun. Hartley Wilkinson, M.Inst.T., prospective Conservative candidate for Sunderland South Division, who last April was elected a vice-chairman of the Road Haulage Association. Among his other appointments is the chairmanship of the Northern Area Road Haulage Wages Board.
Peter Wilkinson, Ltd., will be the second road-haulage concern in Sunderland to be taken over by the B.T.C. The first, Hepplewhite and Shaw, Ltd., was acquired in August last year.
SCOTTISH SHOW IN NOVEMBER
THE Scottish Motor Show, which will include light commercial vehicles, caravans and light trailers, service and garage equipment, tyres, accessories and components, will be held from November 11-19 this year.
This decision was reached last week by the general committee of the Scottish Motor Trade Association. As in pre-war days, the Show will be held at Kelvin Hall, Glasgow, and will be the 38th in the present series.
50,000,000 MORE PASSENGERS
DURING 1948, the Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Co.Ltd., carried 50,000,000 more passengers than in the previous year. Last year's figure was just over 424,000,000, compared with nearly 374,000,000 in 1947.
The vehicle fleet was increased by 63 during the year, making a total in operation of 1,538. Mileage rose by nearly 7,000,000. to 64,943,733. Thirtyone new services were introduced, 24 suspended during the war were resumed, and frequency of 412 was increased.