Los Angeles herald., 1910-01-19
JOHANNESBURG IS EXCELLENT
MARKET FOR AUTOS
MORE THAN 1000 MOTOR VEHl.
Giles USED IN AFRICAN CITY
Mining Companies and Firms Engaged
in Selling Supplies Find Horse
less Carriage Decided Adj
vantage to Them


Consul Edwin n. Gunsaulus reports
that Johannesburg with the outlying
WitWatersrand, Is said to be one of the
worlds best markets for automobiles.
The number of motor vehicles now
in use in Johannesburg and the keeL
district is approximately 1000, m
cluded in which are about sixty taxi
cabs of comparatively recent lmporta-
ton.
The numerous mining companies and
the larger, firms engaged in selling
mining machinery and supplies, as
we'll as other concerns having tram
sactions along the Reef, are generous
users of motor cars, finding them praC-
tically indispensable for their princl-
pals and employees as a means Of
visiting the mines and other industries
embraced in the mining district, which
extends for q distance of twenty OF
thirty miles on either side of the city
While the sales of the bulk of the ma
chimes in use here are directly at
tributable to the huge mining opera
tions carried on, the use of motor cars
is by no means confined to business eX-
ploitation Professional people, mer-
chants, tradesmen and other Well-to-
do citizens generally are liberal buyers,
and the trade within the last year or
two has seen rapid and constant devel-
opment There is every indication of
an increased demand for cars of mod
crate price, and the market is we'll de-
serving the serious attention of Ameri-
can automobile manufacturers.
American Automobiles
IT NAV here be remarked that very
serious injury was done to the Amerl-
can trade few years ago by the ship
ment to This city of a lot of cheap cars,
which were put on the market and
dealers say tht it has been very diff
ficult to overcome the prejudice thus
resulting, and that it is only within the
last year that they have been able to
make any headway with American ma
chimes. During the past six months
there has been quite a large sale Of
cars of American manufacture, these
being almost entirely confined to two
machines of the smaller and cheaper
grade, both of which are giving good
satisfaction.
owing to the advanced price over
and above the usual commission and
freight charges charged for the ma
chimes above referred to by the Amer
lean house through which they are
bought, and which virtually controls
this market for these cars, the cost of
the landed article is so high that in
order to compete with cheap European
makes, which are freely sold here, the
dealer realizes a very small profit, and
is thus not encouraged to push the
American trade as much as he would
under more favorable conditions. This,
it seems to me, is point which the
manufacturer should not overlook, in
asmuch as the interests of the local
dealers, who are expected to effect the
sales, should be protected as much as
possible.
Doubtless no field of like dimensions
offers a better opportunity for foreign
trade to American automobile manu-
facturers than this section of South
Africa, where at present the percent
age of business in this line is distinctly
in favor of other countries, even
though there has been marked i'm
proVement in American trade during
the last year. BY an intelligent COM
pliance with the requirements of this
market, and with the establishment of
proper local connections, there is every
reason why American manufacturers
should secure a much larger proportion
of the South African automobile trade,
of which Johannesburg is the recog-
nized center, and from which city the
bulk of the orders originate.
Motor Cars in Use
The cars probably most in demand in
this market are those ranging in price
ItOil S1LDU u 9GOuU, utlIf0ISu IlGIe, the
average price of those now in use and
for which there is the greatest sale
being about $2500. The American-made
cars which have found considerable fa-
vor in Johannesburg recently, and in
which q good trade has been DONE
range in price from $1375 to $16Oo de-
livered here, the prices being depend
ent, of course, upon the accessories
purchased, such as lamps, hoods,
horns, etc.
The motor cars in use in Johannes
burg and vicinity, which constitutes a
larger market than all of the rest of
South Africa combined, are of various
grades of French, German, English and
American make, with a few of Italian
production. The highest priced cars in
use here are of English and continen-
tai manufacture, and the prices vary
from $500 to $4,000, delivered in Jo-
hannesburg. While there are many
high priced cars owned in Johannes
burg, there is a fair market for ma
chimes of this class. these are mostly
ordered especially by or for the par
ties desiring them, and are not, as a
rule, kept in stock by local dealers
The duty on automobiles is Is per
cent of the value, with per cent
preference in favor of those manufac-
tured in the United Kingdom and re-
ciprocating British colonies.
Hints to Manufacturers
The types of motor cars in most pop
ular demand are those ranging from
16 to 20 or 20 to % horse power, with
seating capacity for from three to five
persons. There is also a good demand
for cars of the runabout class. AS the
climate is, for the most part, very dry,
wood, if used in any part of the car,
must be well seasoned. There has been
considerable difficulty with wooden
wheels made of material not we'll sea-
soned. Aluminium is advisable for
bodies where possible. Bad roads are
the rule outside the centers of the
cities and towns, and as a great many
small streams are encountered a high
clearance is recommended. Many of
the cars sent here have a clearance of
only six to eight inches, which is not
sufficient in crossing streams abound
ing in small stones or in running over
roads where the wheels of wagons or
other vehicles have made deep ruts,
leaving high centers.
1t is also to be recommended to a
majority of makers that their springs
be ma6e heavier. Cars coming to this
country should have at least one more
leaf than is ordinarily found compris-
ing the springs of machines sent here
This would be a distinct point in favor
of a car as in most cases the owner
makes this addition after purchase
Another suggestion might be made as