Leyland-Pegaso Link to Boost Exports
Page 26
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
THE Leyland group has joined forces with the State-owned Spanish Pegaso company to exchange inforniation and gain new export business in countries with strong Spanish sympathies.
The official announcement on Monday referred to "mutual collaboration regarding the manufacture of trucks, buses, industrial units and ancillary equipment." Both organizations will continue separate manufacture, but will pool knowledge on engineering, research and deveiopment. Tbe agreement includes Albion and Scammell and other Leyland subsidiaries.
Pegaso make heavy goods vehicles and buses, and a lorry rather similar to the Leyland Comet. They produce V-8 and in-line six-cylindered oil engines. They already use Leyland components, but the supply of parts from Britain will be increased under the new arrangement.
Leyland will continue direct exports, but the link with Pegaso will facilitate trade in . the Spanish zone of influence. Pegaso vehicles will be sold through the Leyland distributor organization. Where appropriate, vehicles will be named Pegaso-Leyland (or Albion or Scammell).
Mr. D. G. Stokes, Leyland's general sales director, told The Commercial Motor that his company thought they could benefit from Pegaso's ideas. Ile Spanish company specialized in vehicles for fast haulage in mountainous areas, and had splendid ideas on styling. He referred also to the lower cost of labour in Spain.
5.9% PASSENGER LOSS
A DROP of 5.9 per cent. in the num
ber of passengers carried by the British Transport Commission's provincial and Scottish bus companies occurred in the 40 weeks to October 6. More than 108m. fewer passengers travelled during that period than in the corresponding 40 weeks of 1956.
London Transport recorded a decline of 1.1 per cent. (32m. passengers). British Railways, on the other hand, carried 10.6 per cent. (70.7m.) more passengers.
Total freight-train traffic over the 40 weeks rose by 0.2 per cent. (359,000 tons), although at the end of this year's 40-week period about lm. tons less was passing by freight train than last year.
SEDDON TAKE-OVER PLAN
THE shares of Halls of Finchley, Ltd., Seddon distributors for London and the southern counties, are to be acquired by Seddon Diesel Vehicles, Ltd. Mr. R. H. Seddon, chairman, will make this announcement at Seddon's annual meeting next week. The company plan first to take a financial interest in Halls and to complete the take-over later.
IIM. ORDERS PLACED
BUSINESS in commercial vehicles valued at £1m. is reported to have been done at the Scottish Motor Show. which closed last Saturday. Nearly 152,000 people paid for admission.