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Operators' Choices Depend on Factory Relations
Page 32
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GONE are, the days when an operator chose a make of vehicle for his fleet because he liked the colour of the upholstery fitted in a Show model. The choice of a vehicle in these days of standardization depends on a number of cogent reasons, some technical, some personal.
An investigation carried out by "The Commercial Motor" among operators of 5-6-ton vehicles made by the "quantity " manufacturers revealed some interesting data. Several concerns seemed to think that they would like to operate vehicles in what one might term the next-highest quality class.
This feeling, if it is widespread, indicates that, as ever, users demand still better vehicles from the manufacturers of their choice, however pleased they are with those at present operated. Although the supply position is still far from normal, this is, without doubt, an augury of times to come. Equally revealing was the importance placed by all operators on good relations either with the manufacturers direct or with their local representatives. Where an operator believed that he was not receiving as much attention from the manufacturer as he felt he required, dissatisfaction was present.
High costs of operation do not permit operators to remedy faults of their own accord; all would prefer a vehicle entirely devoid of trouble, rather than one which has to be adapted extensively for the work it has to do. In this operator and manufacturer relationship, neither can do without the other.