Bob Price
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Vauxhall Motors' new chairman an managing director, Bob Price, i American by birth, part Welsh b descent and international by choice c career. The result is a relaxed, con fident manner which has clearly struc a responsive chord among hi colleagues, and a readiness to mak unequivocal statements. On th prospect for road freight, he told mu "We are confident in foreseeing great increase in road haulage i Europe and elsewhere." On Bedford' future: "Bedford will remain the GP truck producer outside the USA." 0 the one-million-miles-plus develor ment of the imminent range of Bedfor heavy trucks: "The most extensh, development of any truck ever dr signed by a General Motors compar including GM itself."
He agreed that moving Bedford L into the top-weight class meant mar supporting activities notably pri viding "heavy" servicing and par supply, and in ensuring compatabili of terms and practice p with other GI companies, for example in relation • the Detroit Diesel engine which already marketed widely for industri and marine use.
Astonished by his detailed vehic knowledge, Bob Price's colleagui would probably say that he is "produ orientated". When I asked him wh changes he had made since takir over earlier this year he immediatE listed some important alterations the new heavy truck programme make it markedly more Continental eg uprating one engine to me Germany's 8bhp/ton.
Bob Price was christened Walter after the paternal grandfather w emigrated from Wales; born in Wh Planes, New York, in 1926, he caut the car bug early and even while High School was Working on cars.
Vauxhall's new boss enjoys ye early rising, a pre-breakfast run ar when he has the time, playing 9( squash and tennis, watching Briti Soccer, attending the theatre and t cinema. Oh yes, and doing his job perhaps most of all.