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Has the Tide Turned in New Registrations?

21st July 1939, Page 34
21st July 1939
Page 34
Page 34, 21st July 1939 — Has the Tide Turned in New Registrations?
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Figures for May Show a Marked Improvement, Although There is Still Much Leeway to Make Up

AFTER months and months of depressing statistical returns, the registrations of new vehicles have, at long last, taken a turn for the better, and the latest totals, which cover the month of May, show a marked improvement. The aggregate for the month for all types of motor vehicle was 45,600, contrasted with 37,583 a year ago and, with one exception, the five general classes into which the figures are divided displayed a better tendency.

The number of goods vehicles licensed, at 5,430, was 25 below the total for May, 1938; it is quite a long time since the two figures were so near to one another and the decrease is of relatively minor importance. In the case of hackney vehicles, an advance was recorded, and the total of 1,257 for May, 1939, was actually 94 above that for the corresponding month of 1938.

Government Purchases Boost Total.

One of the chief reasons for the general improvement in the figures was due to the increase of over 3,700 in " other vehicles," and it is significant that, out of the total in this class, 3,220 represented Government-owned vehicles, compared with 785 a year earlier.

The number of vehicles licensed in the division for petrol goods machines was 5,094, contrasted with 5,137 a year earlier, the peak being reached by the 2-21-tonners with 1,858 registrations, compared with 1,725 in May, 1938. Next, in order of numerical strength came the 12-cwt.-1-tonners A32 with 965 registrations, as against 954 in May of the previous year. In the other three classes covering the 24-ton unladen-weight limit, the following registrations took place, last year's totals being given in parentheses:— Not exceeding 12 cwt., 693 (813); 1-ton-11-tons, 470 (507); 14-2-tons, 773 (792). Above this limit, 335 vehicles were registered in May, 1939, and 846 in May, 1938.

The registrations of oil-engined goods vehicles were slightly lower, this year's total of 162 contrasting with 174 a year earlier. As was the case a year ago, most of the registrations in this section took place in the two classes covered by the outside unladen-weight limits of 3 tons and 5 tons, although the 2-21-tonner and the 6-7-tonner also put up a good showing.

The electric vehicle showed a slight falling off, this year's total of 56 comparing with 60 for May, 1935. In both years, the 12-cwt.-1-tonner topped the bill, this year's figure being 36 and last year's 28.

The number of goods vehicles licensed for drawing trailers was 24.

Out of the four sections into which multi-wheeled goods vehicles are divided, two—the articulated sixwheeler and the eight-wheeleradvanced. The total of 35 for May, 1938, in respect of articulated six

wheelers, advanced to 59 a year later, whilst the eight-wheeler total, at 24, was four higher. In the case of fivewheelers (mechanical-horse pattern), the registrations fell from 108 to 72; whilst the rigid six-wheeler fell from 64 to 49, The total for agricultural vans and lorries was 107, compared with 76 in May, 1938, whilst, under the heading of agricultural engines (5s. class), 686 ploughing machines were registered, contrasted with 398 a year earlier. Tractors for agricultural use rose from 12 to 16, but those for general haulage fell from 23 to 16.

Hackney-vehicle Highspots.

Turning to hackney vehicles, which are divided into three main sections, the outstanding feature was the increase in petrol machines from 518 to 679, although the advance is mainly accounted for by the fact that taxicab registrations rose from 218 to 317. In this category, the high spot was reached by the 20-26-seaters.

In the case of hackney oilers, there was very little change, this year's total of 521 including 199 32-40-seaters, 159 48-56-seaters and 120 26-32-seaters; last year's total for hackney oilers was 532. the peak being reached by the 26-32-seater with 225 registrations.

Trolleybus registrations fell from 113 to 57.

In the five months ended May, 1939, 28,406 goods vehicles and 4,100 hackney vehicles were licensed, the comparable figures for last year being 31,088 and 4,225 respectively.

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