Mass Producers Enter Seddon's Field
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" WE have [also] during the year under review experienced considerable competition by certain mass producers who during the period have increased the weight-carrying capacity of their vehicles, and have entered our .field of operation. But -in my opinion there is still a large
market for a quality vehicle built to the requirements of the customer, and we are furthering our efforts in this field."
This was stated by Mr. R. H. Seddon, chairman of Seddon Diesel Vehicles, Ltd., in his annual report last week. The company's order book was healthier than it had been for a year, and export trade had continued at a satisfactory level. 53 per cent, of production having been sent abroad in the year ended July 30.
Mr. Seddon revealed that just before the Suez crisis the company had negotiated an order to the value of £150,000 through their Middle East distributors. Production had just started when currency was blocked and the order had to be cancelled. Chassis built to the order had to be modified to suit other markets. This seriously interfered with production.
A new subsidiary company in Africa, Seddon Diesel of Rhodesia (Pvt.), Ltd., was now in operation and had taken overstocks of spares from the former distributors for Seddon vehicles, who had undertaken the franchise for a competitive make.
An increase in the price of chassis had been necessary after a two-year period of price 'stability.