Utility Motors in France.
Page 57
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Notes from our Correspondent in Paris.
Although, in a recent issue, mention was made of the fact that some alarm was felt in Paris because only one entry had been made for the French commercial vehicle trials of May next, events have since changed the outlook for the success of this competition in point of entries. By 16th March, the date on which the right to enter at the lowest fees elapsed, no fewer than 55 vehicles had been submitted for competition in the various classes, or already eleven more than were entered for last year's trials.
The number of makers represented is 15, and, whilst the names of one or two firms who participated last year are missing from the list, their deficiency is more than made up by other houses who have not hitherto competed in the French trials.
In the first nine classes—for lorries, delivery vans, and buses—there are 40 entries, apportioned as follows i to 5, De Dietrich ; 6, More; 7 and 8, Lath; 9 to 12, De Dion-Bouton ; 13 and 14, Cohendet ; i, to 18, Peugeot ; 19 to 21, Panhand ; 22, Vinot-Deguingand ; 23, Brouhot ; 24, Sautter Harle; 25 to 27, Saurer ; 28 and 29, Mototri Contal ; 30 to 37, Berliet ; 38, Peugeot ; 39, Werner ; 40, Prod'horntne. The entries in the class for motorcabs number 15, and are as follow : t, Vinot-Deguingand ; 2 and 3, De Dion-Bouton ; 4, Bayard-Clement; 5 to 7, Brouhot ; S and 9, Charron ; to, Doriot-Flaudrin ; Gladiator-; 12 to 14, Brasier ; 15, Prod 'homme.
The fact which first strikes one in this summary is the number of entries in the motorcab section, as they afford evidence of the increasing attention given nowadays in France to the manufacture of this type of commercial vehicle. It will be seen that nine firms figure in this category, but of course, there are others making motorcabs in France who have not entered for the trials. Another point to be noted is that last year it was not deemed advisable to open a class for motorcabs, but there was a category for light cars suitable for business purposes in which De Dion-Bouton and Vinot-Deguingand entered.
More entries may yet be made for the trials, but, if they should run to no higher a total than that at which they now stand, the policy of the competitions committee of the Automobile Club de France in adopting as far as practicable the itinerary scheme put into effect by the R.A.C. last year has been justified. Whereas it has previously been the practice in France to make Paris the radiating centre, as it were, the vehicles never being more than a day or so away from the capital during the month's trials, this year they will set out from Paris on May 4th and not return until the 31st, travelling in the meantime over a very wide area of the country.
That the prolonged absence from Paris has been a serious consideration with manufacturers I am certain. Several well-known firms who are doing a good business at the present time do not see their way clear to give the increased attention to the trials which the enlarged itinerary demands, both staff and material being monopolised by existing orders.
For instance, the Societe Francaise des Trains Renard, in explaining to me their abstention, state : " We are engaged in various parts of the country in installing important transport services which at this period will entirely absorb our available material and the attention of our Staff, and to our great regret we have had to recognise that, in view of the date and duration of the trials, it is impossible for us to participate." Similarly Messrs. Delahaye and Co., Ltd. : " We shall not be able to take part in the trials because at present we have a lot to do and the attention of our staff is taken up with important orders."
On the other hand, other makers, equally busy, have stretched a point and sent in their entries. M. Berliet, who has entered three different types of lorries and a light bus, writes me saying that his three-ton lorry, with irontired back wheels, is selling particularly well.