THE CZECHO-SLOVAKIAN INDUSTRY.
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LTHOUGH by no means one of the leading indnstries of Czecho-Slovakia, the manufacture of motor vehicles of various types is rapidly increasing in importance. In this, as in other branches of industry, the effects of the recent trade crisis are. still being felt, although an improvement in the situation was registered last year and continues up to the present time.
The total capacity of the automobile industry in Czecho-Slovakia when the various factories are engaged to their full extent is between 4,000 and 6,000 vehicles per annum, whilst the aeltial output at the moment is about twothirds of the maximum. Compared, for example, with the United States of America, England or France, the demands of the home market, or, indeed, of Central Europe generally, are not very considerable, official statistics for 1922 showing that the total number of motor vehicles in use on Czecho-Slova
kian territory was no more than 9,929, of which 4,632 vehicles were of home— and the remainder of foreign—manufacture.
If, however, demand andoutput are less than could be desired, the quality of the vehicles produced is exceptionally high, so far as the material employed and the workmanship, style, and up-to-date-features included in their design are concerned.
The first firm to make automobiles in Czeeho-Slovakia was Laurin 'and Klement, of Mlada Boleslay, who were founded in 1895, and are still the leading manufacturers, having produced up to date about 42 per cent, of all the motor vehicles of Czecho-Slovakian make in use in the country, and about 20 per cent, of all cars constructed.
Laurin and Klement are makers of passenger cars of numerous types, from the low-priced popular car to cars de luxe, lorries, omnibuses (system .Martin),. and dual-purpose _ vehicles, in which the bodies are so constructed that the rear portion (the two back seats of a four-seater) can be removed and the vehicle converted, with little trouble, to a trader's delivery car. The firm are also the makers of the Excelsior motor plough. So far as goods-carrying vehicles are concerned, the Ceskomoravska Co. have also devoted considerable attention tc the construction of small types.. Praga tractors and motor ploughs have gained notable successes in competitions abroad, at Chartres and Lille (France), at Saragossa (Spain), and at Benha (Egypt).
In conclusion, it may he stated that motor lorries, tradesmen's vehicles, tractors, motor ploughs, and other types of commercial vehicle are also turned out by the Skoda Works, by Pilsen and Prague, by Wichterle and Kovarik, of Prestejov, by Metichar, Umrath and Co., Prague, and by the Tap Co., or Vranany.