New-York tribune., 1907-07-14
MOTOR TRADE IN AFRICA
Large Use Of 4utomobHes-LHtle
american Representation.


While automobile was a rarity in most parts
OF South Africa five years ago the use of ma
chimes is rapidly becoming almost universal The
extent of the growing trade and the valuable field
for American expectation is ably covered in a re-
port made by Special Agent Crist, OF Cape Town.
TO the Department of Commerce and Labor Ac-
cording to this authority. South Africa. and espe
cially Johannesburg and the Witwatcrsrand, pre-
attractive field for the sale Of autos.
and which has engaged the close attention of
the manufacturers OF Europe and England with
the result that large numbers Of OF all de-
scripti1us have been sold from those countries.
American makers apparently have almost entirely
overlooked this fine market for inquiry fails to
show representative Of more than one American
factory In the British South African colonies.
American manufacturers stem to be content with
occasionally forwarding 10 South Africa beautiful
catalogues. This method. while probably calling
thelcss declared o bs a absolute waste Of printed
matter hostage and time 1T cannot be said
however" continues Mr. Crst. ITO involve n waste
Of time the part OF present or prospective auto
mobile users Of South Africa. for from all indica-
tious and comments 1t Is perfectly safe 10 state
that no ono here pays any attention 70 them.
Live hustluIg represe natives are in South Africa
from English, German, French and Italian auto
mobile factories, whose erorts nave bceh rlchlS
rewarded by large sales OF their makes in this
market which probably differs in many respects
from any other market of the same size In the
world Automobiles in South Africa not luxu-
ries for those desiring for pleasure, but are
s ,.ressar,- 10 the business success of every man
who has relations with the mining industry as the
subway IS TO the busiest New Yorker. This Is
readily seen from a cursory consideration OF
the area covered by the mining industry. The Wit
watersrand Reef extends In more or less unoroNen
line for over seventy miles east and west with
Johapncsburg approximately in the centre.
Many important mines arc situated over htty
miles from that city. 1t is a daily occurrence for
a mining engineer some officer OF the large I'M
porting houses to be obliged 10 visit mine forty
or moro miles distant. which can be accomplished
with expedition only by automobile. The rail-
ways and electric lines around Johannesburg sat
isfy the requirements of ordinary interurban
traffic but cannot cope with the needs Of those
engaged in the mining business, who ind the auto
mobile almost vital to reaching many dinerent
points at short notice. The readiness OF. the auto
mobile to go anywhere at any time is its Chier
point Of value. with which the transportation lines
cannot possibly compete. Carriages or other horse
vehicles are unable give the satisfaction either
in point of time endurance obtained by the use
of the automobile. In fact. so great FACTOR Is
time in supplying machinery parts" and spares
that in emergencies automobiles are often used IN
their delivery.
THE NUMBER OF MOTORS IN USE.
The register of automobiles in Johannesburg
shows a total OF 76S for this year. while few
wears ago an automobile was a curiosity. over
900 are reported by dealers to be In use In Cape
Town. Prices range from slf5o the average being
s. 600 The value of the automobiles In daily use
in johannesburg is estimated AT 100000 and In the
entire Rect" at twice that fgur.. The life of the
automobile In South Africa has been found TO be
from two and II half to five years. There is con
tinualy increasing demand for cars TO supplant
those worn out and TO supply recruits In the
field of ownership There seems to be excep-
tionaIlv excellent field for American makers. who
are practically unrepresented They are advised
send out competent statesmen prepared 10 meet
the competition of makers OF European cars who
have already demonstrated the value and fitness
of their products for the needs Of the market
Motor cycles, ranging from 5000 10 $500. also
in demand. and chiefly supplied at present from
Germany, although England shares the trade.
They are capable of from 20 to % miles an hour.
While the Witwatersrand field is the most profit
able there is also an increasing demand for
throughout the different colonies. In Durban and
,a,Al and 1y,1nf oil hp
regular runs, and enthusiasts are TO be found
everywhere.
British South Africa imported motor vehicles 10
the value OF $685. $50 in the fiscal year 1906.
While the class of cars in demand varied ac-
cording the individual fancy OF the buyer and
tho ability of the salesman to present the particu-
lar good points OF his product there certain
basic principles which should govern in the manu-
facturc of cars for the market The roads and
climate must be especially considered. The av-
erage is selected for use along the Reef" for
its hill climbing ability, ability to withstand the
hard knocks of rough roads, and its ability TO
duCe the maximum mileage for the petrol gas
olene consumed From fifteen miles gallon of
petrol Is now required of Grades of
one in thirty frequent in railway travel while
one in fourteen is not uncommon In the ordinary
country road
THE CLASS OF CARS IN DEMAND.
Cars range from to $3.50 horsepower. but great
speed is a factor. high speed cars except on
rare occasions, being compelled to run at from
one fourth One-half capacity, by reason of the
roughness of the roads. Steam cars have been
found less economical IN fuel expenditure than
Easolcne Both chain and direct shaft drive
cars are popular. In chain drive the centre drive
chain is impractiCable because of the great guam
rtv of Instructions found only side drive chains
being in use The direct shaft drive is usually
preferred, however, the sand which is found all
over South Africa cutting chains so rapidly as To
materially reduce their life and cause many break