The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-09-25
Motoring Notes,
GoodRoadsNews
and Trade Matters

That British motor car manufact-
urers have good reason for the steps
they are taking in an attempt to stop
the monopolization of the British
market by American small cars. IS
apparent in report which Consul
General Grlfiiths, of London, has
made His report WAS written before
the recent meetings at which the Brit
ish manufacturers have discussed the
American invasion and proposed
protective tariff and a big company to
manufacture cars to compete with
the American product. In his report
Mr.. Griffiths says:
The brilliant success which has at
terfsf rfTe int rotf tre tfs4tf of American
motor cars on the British market is
strongly reflected in an article in one
Of the London newspa pers In which it
was stated that traveller on an au
tomobile journey from the north OF
England TO London reported that
very large number of cars were met.
and that two out of three were low
priced American cars.
Tn the last three or four years
there has been a wide English he
n1and for low priced American ears,
and the demand is growing, notwith-
standing an earnest effort to check it.
The number Of American cars i'm
ported into the United Kingdom in
1903 was 42T: In 1910 the number
had increased TO l,1ol, in 1911 to
3.734. and in first six months of 1912
the number was 1927. The value of
the American cars imported in 1911
was nearly s3,00o.000. and it is an
ticipated that in 1912 this figure will
be at least doubled. One American
firm imports parts Of cars only. the
assembling being done in Great Brit
aiH OF this make approximately
5000 are said to have been put to-
gether in Great Britain in 1911.
THE users of the inexpensive Amer
lean cars say they find them more
economical, even if they have not so
long a life. than cars which cost sev-
eral times as much and which must
ra pidly deteriorate in value. The great
majority of people, too. cannot afford
to buy the higher priced cars.
American makers advertise eoi's' l.
erably in the widely circulated daily
of the United Kingdom.
One American firm not long ago had
full front page advertisements IN one
Of the great London daily newspapers,
the cost of which for one Insertion
would amount To about $500. ~ Very
nearly the selling cost of two ri Its
oars. This method of advertising is
found to be very effective. Indeed no
means is neglected to present the
American car to the English public
to the very best advantage. Large
supply stores have been opened in
London, SO that needed parts may
be promptly furnished.
1T is rumored that a two-seated
runa bout of American manufacture
will be placed on the English market
soon To sell for about $3.50 II is also
promised by American manufacturers
that a four-seated. or family car.
which would sell for $500 will soon
ha introduced on the English market.
That certain British firms are already
endeavoring to meet the competition
from the United States is very evident
one OF the latest types OF British
makes is a two seated car selling for
sos. which is said to be capable Of
speed of rwenty-e!ght TO
thirty miles per hour, with low petrol
"A British automobile engineer who
has recently returned from a tour of
of motor-car factories in
the United States is reported To have
said that the American car is not the
result either of cheap labor or cheap
materials, and thar 1T rs of excel
lent quality. There was a time when
II was customary to speak lin depre-
catorv terms OF the American low
priced car. but 1t has been on the