COMMERCIAL MOTORS IN ARGENTINA.
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Some Specific Opportunities which are Offering in the Latin-American Markets for British Products.
By a Special Correspondent.
Nv-RITING in these columns recently, I drew attenlion, in general terms, to the undoubted opportunities that exist in Latin-American markets for the products of British makers. In this article I propose to amplify the subject by indicating, in detail, existing specific requirements in so-me of the principal markets.
It is worthy of note, in. passing, that one of our greatest motor maaufacturers has recently announced the intention of his firm to make a serious bid for trade in Latin-America by adopting the methods of our main competitor—the United States; that is to say, by carrying consignment stock in South America, establishing repair depots with a complete stock of spare parts, by judicious advertising, etc., Argentina and Brazil are to be concentrated upon by way of a beginning.
In Argentina, as has been previously indicated, the ,outstanding requirement is for motor omnibuses for public passenger services. On June 30th of this year the number of buses actually in operation was 1,050. There is every prospect that the number and/or extent of passenger services will greatly increase, in view of the serious traffic congestion that takes place along the more frequented routes.
It may not be out of place to reproduce some particulars of double-decker buses that have already been supplied to the Argentine by British makers. These buses have a 35 h.p. four-cylinder A.E.C. chassis, with a three-speed chain gearbox, single-plate clutch, and final drive by internal gear in the rear wheels. The buses seat 52 passengers-26 on each deck—and are built to permit of easy loading, the floor being only 13 ins. from the ground when the full load is aboard.
Both upper and lower decks are upholstered in rattan cane, with detachable seat squabs, and six electric ligli is are fitted -.to each deck. On the lower deck windows of the fold-over type are fitted, with balancedtype windows in the upper deck. Green sun blinds on spring rollers are • fitted to all windows. The complete vehicle, without passengers, weighs 5 tons Pi cwt.
There are opportunities in Argentina, also, for the supply of commercial motor vehicles of other types. In the country districts, for example, the economical advantages of the motor truck over the horse-drawn cart are very great, and it is only a matter of time mhen the Estanciero will entirely use motor vehicles for general -freight purposes. Meanwhile, the growth of mechanical road transport is Undoubtedly progressing favourably, for, in addition to its increased use for commercial delivery in the principal cities and suburbs, the motor vehicle is appearing as a valuable asset on the farms.
The deep-rooted prejudice in favour of horses is rapidly declining as the economic advantages to be derived from the use of the commercial motor become more manifest. A few progressive ranchers set the example, which others are following, so that on all large ranches motors are now used for freightage and it is only a matter of time before horse and UXell traction will be a thing of file past, for while a cart makes only one or two journeys a day, the motor truck can often make four or five.
Argentina also offers a good market for agricultural motor vehicles. Tractors are needed on the extensive cultivated area of the pampas, and trucks for freight purposes are in steady demand in all parts. In the south, trucks of from one to two tons capacity are required for carrying wool to the markets; in the central regions trucks are needed for the conveyance of crops; and, in the north, the development of Argentina's cotton will, no doubt cause afurther increase in the demand for mechanical traction.
It may be noted that the roads of Argentina are more plentiful than in other Latin-American countries, although the road system is not yet by any means adequate. The avenues and streets of Buenos Aires offer miles of excellent riding for commercial vehicles and the stone block pavements reaching out to the suburbs are good for heavy, truck traffic. Around the estuary of the River Plate there are quite good roads, but in the interior of the Republic they still leave much to be desired. However, extensive improvements in road construction have been put into operation, and as these are completed the Argentine import commercial vehicle trade is bound to increase very rapidly.
At present two factors—diminishing in importance— which check the sale of commercial motor vehicles in the Republic are the damage done to existing roads by heavy ox carts and an abundant supply of horses. Many farmers use very heavy carts, either drawn by oxen or horses, for freight purposes on the soil roads of the interior, and if, in the wet weather, the carts get stuck in the mud, the animals are reversed in order to pull the other way. The ensuring process scoops great holes in the roads, from which it is impossible to extricate a motor under its own power.
Undoubtedly the remarkable developments in road construction that are taking place in Argentina and other Latin-American countries constitute a factor of Immense importance to British manufacturers of cona,mercial motors. It has been estimated that a sum In the neighbourhood of £100,000,000 is to be spent by the republics in the course of the newt couple of years.
This modern road construction in Latin-America to meet the demands of the motorcar and the truck and tractor is quite a new development to which American and other manufacturers are far from blind. It is up to British makers to be equally alive to the Situation for the trade prospect is of the utmost value.
The main thing is to be first in the field, for the people of any country are apt (naturally) to get used to the products that are first introduced to their notice. The United States obtained a grip on the trade in motor vehicles, which is largely due to the factor of priority of association.
Unless British makers are prepared to take advantage of the opportunity offered by the present remarkable increase in road construction, the grip of United States manufacturers may well become permanent.
Now that an important British firm has realized the unusual state of affairs, and is about to take due advantage of it, it is not too much to expect that other British firms will emulate its enterprise.