The Milan Show
Page 56
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MORE than usual interest attachedto the commercial-vehicle section of the Milan Motor Show, which was held in the Palazzo Dello Sport, from April 12-27.
Owing to the greatly improved roads in Italy, there has been an increase from 45,337 commercial vehicles in 1928, to 103,952 at present in use. This represents an increase of 130 per cent., as compared with 58 per cent, in respect of private ears.
At the Show, great interest was centred around the oil-engined exhibits, four-stroke-cycle models being the most favoured.
The Lancia concern showed a remarkable new model designated R.O., end having a horizontally opposed twiucylindered, two-stroke-cycle oil engine -with a capacity of 3,181 c.c. This is quite a small vehicle when compared with the 114-1itre Alfa-Romeo-Bussing lorry. Another large machine that created quite a stir was the Fiat 72-seater bus.
The O.M. concern showed a vehicle with a Saurer oil engine built under licence, the workmanship of this company's machines being of a high order. Air brakes are incorporated in the O.M. vehicles, as well as in the Alfa-Romeos. Another oil-engined exhibit was the 85 h.p. Vomag, a vehicle of German origin.
For the first time, the IsottaFraschini organization exhibited commercial vehicles, including a well-built 7-tormer employing an MA N. 110 h.p. oil engine built under licence.
3338 The French industry was well represented by Renault exhibits, including oilers. The Fiat display was one of the largest in the Show and ranged from 990 c.c. four-cylinder vans to huge oil-engined six-cylinder lorries, whilst on the passenger side there were taxis and buses ; the Fiat municipal vehicles included fire-engines.
Many improvements in chassis were evident and considerable interest was provoked by the eight-speed gearbox on one of the Lancia concern's exhibits.
The body-building and trailer sections of the Continental commercialmotor industry were strongly represented, the O.M. company showing a. passenger trailer for town service and the Mein° Meecaniehe Meridionali displaying light steel bodies mounted upon large chassis. Carminati showed trailers and lorries, Erraui had on view a range of trailers, whilst luxurious bodies were exhibited by Varesina and Viberti. ,
Our correspondent writes that the success of the exhibition augurs well for the future of the commercialvehicle industry in Italy.