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Greece as a Market Tor Motors.

23rd November 1911
Page 15
Page 15, 23rd November 1911 — Greece as a Market Tor Motors.
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

From our Correspondent at Athens.

Of all the countries of Europe Greece is probably the most backward as regards the use of motor vehicles. This is not due to lack of appreciation of modern ideas, for the Greek, especially in the cities, is eager to adapt himself to the Onward march of civilization, but to a variety of other reasons all more or less of an economic nature.

A Limited Market for Touring Cars.

The question of motors de luxe may be dismissed in a very few words. The greater part of Greece is not physically adapted to touring on account of its mountainous character; add to this the lack of good roads, to say nothing of the total absence of accommodation for man or car in any but a very few of the largest towns, and it will be seen at once that the trade can expect no impetus in this direction. The motor carriages in private use in Athens are limited in number and possessed by a very few wealthy people, mostly of the nouveau riche class, who have purchased them during a trip to Paris or Vienna. Sonic British manufacturers of this type of car have endeavoured to establish agencies in Athens, but they expect to work on conditions holding good in populous and prosperous countries, not realizing that they are setting out to capture a practically virgin market, to attain which end certain sacrifices must necessarily be made. These firms expect the agent to guarantee a certain number of sales in the year and bear advertising expenses, and seem to fancy that they are offering a good thing to an otherwise busy man. The contrary is the case, for the agent would spend time and money fruitlessly in their service, seeing that persons of the class that can afford a pleasure car visit Paris nearly every summer and choose one to their liking whilst. there. These people rarely get as far as London, and would not in any ease buy a car on the strength of an illustrated catalogue or newspaper advertisement in Athens, when they can see and try the article they wish to purchase at the maker's. As for people who cannot afford to go to " Europe" in the summer, they do not belong to the class of motorists for pleasure.

Better Outlook for Commercial Vehicles.

The commercial motor stands on Quite a different footing, and, though at present the number in Greece may probably be counted on the fingers of one hand, the day

appears to be not far distant when a much more general use of these conveyances may be possible. The original cost is, of course, a serious drawback in a poor country like Greece, but the principal objection is the high duty on petrol. This duty was obviously made heavy in order to tax pleasure cars, and the Government in power when the tariff was imposed probably had no idea that motorcars for industrial purposes existed. When the pre sent or some future Greek govern merit becomes convinced that a de. mand for commercial motors exists, it is quite within the range of probability that sonic arrangement will be made by which the spirit to be used for industrial purposes may be allowed to enter under such a reduced tariff as to permit, of its use from an economical standpoint. As to the question of original cost for large motors, undoubtedly business would be much encouraged if facilities for payment were accorded in the same manner as agricultural machinery is supplied in Thessaly. That is to say, supposing the manufacturers would consent to accept one-third of the purchase money with order, one-third on delivery, and the remainder after six months.

Light Vans Wanted. -What would sell well in Athens for cash would be small and light. delivery vans for grocers, drapers, dairymen, .etc. The Royal palace at Tatoi has recently acquired a light three-wheeled motor milk-cart from the firm of Gustav Hiller, of Zitta.u, in Germany, and many inquiries have been made for a similar article. Lorries for the conveyance of goods between Athens and the Pirfeus are also much asked about, but as yet matters have been limited to inquiries. When once the first has been placed on the town by some enterprising Greek, envious rival!, will quickly seek to follow. High Duty Prohibits use of Taxicabs and buses.

It is the high duty on petrol that chiefly militates against the successful floating of a taxicab or motor-omnibus company in Athens and the Piraeus. There are at present in Athens some 20 motorcars which are hired out at exorbitant rates. These are neither taxicabs nor omnibuses, but motorcars seating six to eight persons. That taxicabs would be enormously patronized cannot be disputed ; and there are plenty of routes where the electric trams are so inconveniently crowded that motor omnibuses would be considered an unmixed boon by the general public. A concession, with reduced rates of duty on petrol for the company, would be no very difficult matter to obtain by a syndicate capably represented on the spot. To obtain this reduction a little persuasive argument backed up by a foreign minister would probably be all that ould be needed, seeing that it would be distinctly to the advantage of the Greek Exchequer in the long run to reduce the tariff in view of the greatly increased quantity of petrol that would be imported. To prevent the use of this petrol by others than the concessionnaires would be simple, by causing it to be supplied of a particular colour, as is actually done in the case of industrial alcohol, which is green.

The Position in a Nutshell.

The position so far as the motor industry in Greece is concerned may be summed up briefly : in the matter of private cars there is little or nothing to he done ; commercial motors would sell fairly well if a system of partial credit were adopted. For the establishment of taxicab or omnibus companies three things are needed : capital, enterprise and a knowledge of the

e01!Ilt Y V.

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People: Gustav Hiller
Locations: Vienna, Athens, Paris, London

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