Opinions from Others.
Page 19
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The Design of Steam Tractors.
The Editor THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[1337] Sir,—This subject and its treatment are becoming rather amusing to my mind. I agree with Mr. Lalonde that few improvements of note have been made on steam tractors during the last 10 years. The hind-axle springing on most tractors is more or less useless as regards practical working. Makers claim great power for their tractors. But of what use is this if they cannot be kept down on the road'? This is where the steam wagon scores. Now, Mr. Lalonde wants a change from compounding, and quite right too. But what will the makers say 7 "Oh! we have made this type for the last 20 years, and it should be saleable to-day," My opinion is that if steam is to hold its own in the future, makers will have to alter
their designs on wagons arid tractors. Instead of makers trying to make lighter steam wagons, they are getting them heavier than ever, with no increase in power or eNnomy. I am convinced that half the useful power is wasted in these dead-weight machines. Let us have lighter castings in cast steel. I want to see on the market a steam wagon with two high-pressure cylinders, poppet valves and a superheater. I will chance my luck on economy.—Yours faithfully,
" CROSSHEAD." [This correspondent should examine the " Sentinel."—Eu. I The Cost of Spare Parts.
[13381 Sir,—We have read with interest your editorial under above heading in your issue of 30th April, and fully agree as to the short-sighted policy of any manufacturer charging an exorbitant rate of profit on spare parts. The whole basis of the successful running of commercial-motor vehicles depends on the keeping down of the running costs. Any policy, therefore, which has a contrary tendency will, of necessity, ultimately react on the trade generally.
Recognizing that most business firms appreciate the publishing of printed price lists, we have for the past number of years adopted the policy of issuing a fullypriced and illustrated list of spare parts for all our mocielsi and may state that this has been very much appreciated by our many clients.--Yours faithfully,
Glasgow. ALBION MOTOR CAR CO., LTD.
Tire Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[1339] Dear Sir,—We have read, with very great interest, your editorial article on " The Cost of Spare Parts " in the current issue of TIER COMMERCIAL MOTOR. We agree with your opinion that this is a matter demanding immediate and serious consideration by the trade at large. But we are not prepared to accept your figures, they being arrived at, in our opinion, more from the theoretical than hoe' the practical standpoint. The cost of spare parts has had our close attention for some considerable time past, with the result that we have now, by our revised works methods and system of costing, been able very considerably to reduce the cost of spare parts, to the benefit, as you point out, both of our customers and ourselves.
We are well aware that some makers— American, we believe—advertise the fact, that, if a chassis is bought, part by part, it costs the same as the complete chassis, or approximately so, less, of course, the cost of erecting. This we do not pretend to be able to do ; nor, indeed, does it seem to us practicable, because, either the manufacturer is getting too much for the complete chassis, or he is losing on the parts. As you point out, the carrying of adequate stocks of parts necessitates the locking up of considerable slims of money. And, moreover, there are other items to be considered, such as booking, packing, handling and dispatching charges on each part. All these charges tend to enhance considerably the price of individual spare parts. What we do say, however, is that the cost of all the parts of a chassis added together ought to be within a reasonable percentage in excess of the cost of the finished chassis. And, while it is obvious that it would not be to our best interests to state our opinion as to what we consider this percentage ought to be, yet we are sure that you will agree with us that there ought to be such a percentage, and that it ought to be reasonable.
We are confident that we have adopted the correct method of dealing with this spare part question ; in fact, at the moment, we are in process of compiling new spare part price lists, based on the suggestions outlined above, which, we are sure, will tend towards increased new business to ourselves, and enhanced confidence on the part of our customers in us.
We trust that we have not occupied too much of your valuable space, but we could not help applauding the efforts you are making in this, and other matters, towards good, clean, and straightforward business dealings between the motor trade and its customers.—Yours faithfully,
For CLAYTON AND CO.; HUDDERSFIELD, LTD.,
It. A. JONES, Director.
[Our figures were not deduced from a theoretical basis, but were founded upon examples in our possession.—En.
Boosting the Battery Vehicle.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[1340] Sir,—Having written you on the 21st ult. agreeing that demonstration should be mane of our different vehicles in order that their performances can be made known and duly reported, I was rather surprised in your last issue to see you twitting us with not having furnished you with proofs.
I now beg formally to accept your challenge, and hereby state that arrangements are being made for your representative to accompany some of our vehicles during their rounds to enable you to furnish your readers with accurate data under working conditions.
With regard to your claim that only costs spread over a period of five years are of any service to you, it is manifestly impossible at this stage to, furnish such records when it is remembered that the oldest of our vehieles has hardly exceeded 18 months service.
In conclusion, I beg to state that we have everything to win by facilitating your inquiries, and trust that you will not misconstrue an inevitable inability into lack of desire.—Yours faithfully, EDISON ACCUMULATORS, LTD. W. H. L. WATSON (General Sales Manager).
rVIn have issued no challenge, hat we have not yet been furnished with certified U.S.A. roots. We intend to arrange a "One Day's Work " with an Ellison vehicle. 'The rocord of that day cannot prove conclusive as a costs basis. F n.1