THE CHINA MAIL.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1931.
· NOT A LUXURY.
Motor An Essential Utility.
[From an Address by George E. Quisenberry, Editor, The
American Automobile.] For many years the automobile industry has been combating the idea that its product is a luxury and should be taxed and regulat ed as such. Because the first automobiles were high in price they uppeared on the road as the expensive toys of the rich. As time went on mass production brought about price reduction and the automobile came into general use, not only as a mean of private personal transporta tion, but as a freight carrier.
Many countries still base thei import duties und their local taxation of motor vehicles on the idea that they are a luxury completely ignoring the fact that no modern nation can compete with other nations in economic progress without motor trans- portation and good roads,
&
be
MOTORISTS THIS IS YOUR PAGES
rides, picnics and pleasure social driving.
Let's look at the other side of the picture. Necessary and com mercial uses of automobiles in- clude:~~
All truck traffic. All bus traffic.
All taxicab and hire car traffic, because taxicabs earn a livelihood for owners and drivers.
All salesmer's cars. All business cars.
-
4
TAXI TRADE. ·
Hire Car Business in
Japan,
BIG AND LITTLE.
Change Over of Motors.
CAR PRODUCTION.
Tell-Tale World Figures: Huge Decreases.
Sweden from 1,400 to 2.200.
·
ས
DESERT TRIP.
Pioneers' 20,000 Miles to Monte Carlo Rally,
Tokyo, Nov. 80. Big motors and little motors: Facts and Figures of the. A leisurely expedition from If you trade in your auto-electric motors no larger than Automobile Iustry, published Australia is now on its way mobile on a new car in Japan, those needed to operate sewing by the National Chamber of across India to compete in the you may be sure that nearly machines to others capable of Commerce, U.S.A., shows that Monte Carlo rally in January. eight times out ften your producing 1.750 horsepower the year 1980 was one in which There are six members of the second-hand car will be dolled 27,000 of them in all are the world production of motor party, Miss Jean Robertson, who up with flashy paint, have a sign undergoing change over at the vehicles dropped greatly practi- brings with her iness ges to the Cars used for private trans-painted on it and be used as a Ford Motor Company's Rouge cally all over the world. TheR.A.C. and A.A., Miss Jonn cortation, other than for joy- taxicab.
Plant in Dearborn, Michigan. United States being the largest Richmond, Mr. R. Beatson. Mr. riding.
The taxi business is the main The work, now about forty-five manufacturer suffered the Charles Coldham, Miss Kathleen Cara owned by farmera..
market for used cars in thie per cent. completed, already re-greatest drop in figures, for Howell and Mr 1. P. S. Morice, Cars owned by professional country. As a result a ride in presents an expenditure of more whereas in 1929 the total pro-and they are taking five and a people, doctors, etc.
some of the cabs is not any more than U.S. $6,000,000. It is esti- duction was 6,358,420 vehicles, half months to cover the 20,000 Cars owned by public utility comfortable or speedy than a mated that an additional year in 1930 the number was 3,855,986 miles by sea and land or just companies light, power, tele-ride in the old ricsha.
will be required to finish the in- The output in Canada dropped about the rate of a wind-jammer phone, etc.
R. A. May, managing direc-stallation.
from 263,295 to 154,192, in Bri-back in the fifties of last cen- Official and "Governmental tor of General Motors in Japan, The job, said to be the most fin from 238.805 to 170 000. intury. automobiles, both cars and has this to say of the used car formidable of its kind ever under- France from 268,000 to 220,000, Their three cars, christened trucks.
situation:-
taken, entails the substitution of in Italy from 54,100 to 43 650, "Kookaburra," "Bell Bird," and Cars used in carrying mails
"Sales in Japan are approxi- alternating current motors for and in Germany, from 70,500 to "Wattle Bird" left. Melbourne und express, to rural and out-mately equally divided between those of the direct current type. 66,500. There was a big drop for Darwin in August and cross- lying regions.
care and trucks. Approximate. The move is a part of the com- in Austria also, the figures bed to Java by boat. Another Special purpose automobiles, 280 per cent, of the cars are nany's programme of expansion Ing 8,300 and 2.970 respectively, steamer brought them to Singa- fire-fighting, ambulances, etc.
used for taxi-cabe, 10 per cent in view of future needs. Bene. while in Belgium production was bore whence they motored to Now check through all of these re used for bus service in rural fits from the change will include reduced from 7.600 to 2,970. On Penang and went by sea to Ca- and you will find that ninety peretricts and the remaining 10 reduction in motor control costs. the other hand, the output of utta. They have left Calcutta cent, and probably more, of all per cent. is split up between greater safety to workmen and e-Slovakia increased from for Bombay, where they will automobile mileage is essential sales to the Government, sales to an easy ability to expand produc 14,740 to 16,900, and that of ship to Bushire and as by road
of it is business houses Certainly very little
and private tion facilities.
to Basra and across the desert to I owners. luxury.
In approaching the task Ford Decreased Exports.
Cairo... this applies to all "All of the cars used for taxis engineers made a complete sur.
Among other countries whose It is a trip de luxe. countries, and territories, not are used for commercial purposes vey of the entire plant taking output is very small indeed are have their evening dresses and alone to the United States. and account for about 90 per into consideration the variou enmark, which manufactured inner suits with them and they Business depression, or any
These cars sizes and duties of the old 200 motor vehicles fast year, as are putting up at hotels where other thing, will not rule out are run very intensively because motors. From this survey was compared with 150 the previous hotels are to be found: where this kind of traffic. It must be of the high taxation and the formulated a series of schedules rear. and Spain, which in 1929 they are not, the women sleep continued and we have barely necessity of securing high gross covering the requirements of in roduced 330 vehicles and lastinder canvas and the men under started the development. It la receipts to minimise deprecia- dividual buildings and depart year 300. The world production the sky. only in the past few years that tion and obsolescence costs per ments, Practically all machinn 1929 was 6,287,568, and last The cars-9. h.p. 4 cylinder the world has started to fill its mile."
ery ranging from small me ear the total was. 4,040,673. At Rileys on Dunlop tyres — have real transportation needs,
chines to mile-long conveyor the end of last year there were extra petrol tanks giving eleven total of which none of us can
will be affected.
It has already 35,603,000 motor vehicles in the gallons of fuel apiece and each even estimate, because transport
been demonstrated that the new world, an increase of 1.8 on the ation makes transportation needs
installation will in many in previous period, and of the stances save grow.
from one to two total 74.4 were in the United horsepower on each machine States. Changes so far completed have In sympathy with these figures resulted in a gross anving of the exports of motor vehicles more than 2,000 horsepower as rom manufacturing countries compared with the former set also decreased. In 1929 the A similar change over at number of motor vehicles ex the Detroit plant of the Lincoln ported from the United States Motor Company, a division of the amounted to 783,816, and last Ford Motor Company, will result year it was 405,716, while in re- in an expenditure of approximspect of other countries the fig ately U.8. $600,000.
"res were as follows:-Canada, 101.711 and 44,558; Britain. 42,011 and 29,753; France, 49,025 and 81,158.
To-day 90 per cent. of all automobile travel is commercial and essential. Not more than 10 per cent. is luxury. Here is
And truth which needs to brought home to public officials, bankers, and the general public. Perhaps the use of the word "joy-ride" has helped to con- tinue the idea that the automo- bile is a luxury. It is pretty hard to define just what is a joy ride. When you drive out with your family for a picnic on Sun- day, that may be a luxury. I' am not so sure that it is a luxury, but maybe it is. If you drive for pleasure or for social purposes that's a luxury. In other words only three uses of automobiles can be classed as luxuries-joy-
the
And please remember that very splendid statement of one
THE NEW
cent, of the total.
of our automobile lenders. The caturation point will never be reached until every person cap able of driving an automobile owns an automobile that will
never wear out.
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STRIKING STYLE
·
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STIRRING PERFORMANCË
STERLING VALUE :
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lengthy and riding ease of
grace a 116-inch wheelbase. It has a big 70-horsepower engine that gives breath-taking pick-up and speed. 1 Chrysler has produced in this car a Six of striking style-stinting performance-sterling value Ride
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CARS ARE NOW ON DISPLAY
THE NATIONAL MOTOR CAR
'ID..
MOTORS, AND EDUCATION.
· Every day 42,000 motor- buses all over the United States are carrying 2,000,- 000 children to and from 17,000 schools. The ser- vices cost the States about £8,000,000 annually. In the period of bus transporta- tion growth, between 1918 and 1928. one-room rural. schools diminished in num- ber from 195.000 to 153,000. and consolidated schools in- creased from 5,000 to 17,000. :
FLAT TYRES.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE.
Here is a selection from many thousands of peculiar requests for information received and answer- ed by the London headqua:ters of the Automobile Association, dur- ing the recent touring, season.
of
What is the mean average tem- perature · during the month August at Biarritz?
What is the strength of the cur- ront of the Rhine at Godesburg?
Is Rugby played at Heldelberg? Are pasaports necessary for a visit to Scotland?
What clothes must I wear for touring in Spain during the month Many motorists are not quite of August, and are woollens neces- certain what is the right thing sary??
to do when a tyre goes flat when My dog has ‘Blank biscuits. travelling at a fairly fast speed. Are these obtainable in France?: According to one authority, the At what time does the sun set best procedure when a front tyra in South-Western Germany, South- "goes" is to take a good grip of en France and Southern Spain the steering wheel, lift the foot during the last week in September off the accelerator, and allow and the first in October? the compression of the engine to What is the cost of running a slow the vehicle ury Under no car from London to India? circumstances should the driver Should I wear a sun helmet in attempt to apply the brakes, the Canary Isles ?-^^; until the car has virtually lost What is the best powder to take most of its momentum. Should with me to deal with vermin in a rear tyre go flat when travel,, the Balkan States? /r ingut high speed no attempt From what seaside town in should be made to use the France did William the Conqueror brakes; their use is likely to set out?
overturn the car. A firm grip of Can I take a pet parrot with me the steering wheel, immediate into France and Italy? release of the accelerator pedal; What is the Republic of Andorra and allow the engine compression noted for?
| to do the pulling up, la the safest Can I travel from Southend to procedure. Whether it be a fronts London suburb, using arterial or lack tyre that goes, do not roads with wide grans vorges? I de-clutch, as this cuts out the wish to deliver a hunter. braking effect of the compres Can you asslet me in tracing my
chauf somewhere in London?
sion of the en
ar sudder
of loose
When a driv-
grip of the advisable. SO sels to a
They
WILLYS RETURNS. Optimistic Over Trade Revival.
New York, Nov. 26. John N. Willys returned to the United States this week aboard the Europa for the first time since his appointment as Am- bassador to Poland sixteen months ago. He revealed him. self in an interview on arrival to be entirely optimistic of the early return of good business in the United States and of steady im. provement in the European situa- tion. He remained in New York this week and will spend next week in Washington conferring on matters of state. Following that his plans are indefinite but he hopes to remain in the United States until after the New York show.
Speaking particularly of Po- land. Willys said it had not been much affected by the crisis in Germany. It is now carrying out a steady programme of public works, and with a strict policy of economy was keeping its finan cial position well in hand. While abroad he has kept in close touch. with developments here. He urged American business to adopt a more optimistic spirit, saying the present pessimism was much exaggerated as the business attitude had been in- flated previous to 1929.
carries a four gallon tank for water in dry countries.
This is the first time that` an Australian team has entertained for the Monte Carlo Rally.
BUYERS GUIDE
MOTOR CARS.
ARMSTRONG SIDDELEY.-Hongkong Hotel Garage, Queen's
Road. Tel. 24769.
BUICK The Dragon Motor Car Co., Ltd, 38, Wong Nel Chung“
Road, Happy Valley. Tel. 80228.
CADILLAC Hongkong Hotel Garage, Queen's Road. Tel. 24769. CHEVROLET. — Hongkong Hotel Garage, Queen's Road. Tel.
21759.
FIAT MOTOR CAR-A Goeke & Co., China Bldg., 7th floor.
Tel. 22221.
MARQUETTE The Dragon Motor Car Co., Ltd., 83, Wong Nel
Chunk Road, Happy Valley. Tel. 30228..
MORRIS Hongkong Hotel Garage, Queen's Road.. Tel. 24759. OLDSMOBILE-The Dragon Motor Car Co., Ltd., 38, Wong Net
Chung Road, Happy Valley. Tel. 30228.
**24789.
ROLLS-ROYCE-Hongkong Hotel Garage, Queen's pat
STUDEBAKER-Hongkong Hotel Garage, Queen's Road.
24769.
WILLYS-KNIGHT & WHIPPET MOTOR CARS-Gliman
Lid., 4a, Des Voeux Ed. C. Tel. 28011,
..
Tel.
Tel.
Co
OUTBOARD MOTORS-Rudolf Wolf & Kow, 54 Queen's Road
C. · Tel. 22178, ⠀
MOTOR TRUCKS AND TRACTORS. CHEVROLET-Hongkong Hotel Garage, Queen's Road. Tel.
24759.
G.M.C-The Dragon Motor Car Co., Ltd. 88, Wong Ne! Chung.
Chung Road, Happy Valley. Tel. #0228.
· DODGE: South China Motor Car Co. 38, Des Voeux Road, C.
Tel 25644.40 3400
MORRIS-Hongkong Hotel Garage, Queen's Road. Tel. 24759. STUDEBAKER.Hongkong Hotel Garage, Queen's Bond. Tok
24769,
WILLYB-KNIGHT & WHIPPET TRUCKS, Gilman & Co. Ltd,
da, Des Voeux Rond C. Tel 28011.
MOTOR CYCLES.
HSA The Sincere Co., Ltd., Des Voeux Road. Tel. 27767; NORTON The Sincere Co., Ltd.. Des Voeux, Road C. Tel
27767.
MOTOR OILS. GARGOYLE MOBILÖIL-Vacuum Oil Company, King's Bldg. SHELL Ablatic Fetroleum Co., (8.C.), Ltd, Aslatie Bldg:
A TYRES AND ACCESSORIES. ACCESSOR ES-Hongkong Hotel, Garage, Breen's Road Tal.
and 24769 ACCESSORIES —The Duro Motor Co., Nathan Road, Kowloon.
Tel 562 1
FISK TYRES-Gilman & Co., Ltd. da, Dau Võsur Nd: 0. N060 28011
INDIAST MIORELI
PRESTO
WILLA
1 York BldgreTel
Bldg:
GATANU
71 3 & 75 Henn
27914