Evening star., 1926-10-24
EUROPEAN MOTOR
MARKET BETTER
Continent on Eve of Expan.
sion in Auto Use, Pyke
Johnson Says.

Europe Is standing on the threshold
OF great expansion in the use of the
automobile as it's tremendous utility
IN all forms of transportation is more
widely realized. More roads, lower
tariffs and reduced taxes are the
primary needs of motor transportation
abroad
report OF PVke Johnson. secretary of
the United States official delega ton to
the international Road Congress re.
Gently held in Milan. Italy
the delegation returned home last
week after visiting England and the
continent to study road problems
there. 1t was composed OF American
hishway ofhcials and representatives
OF the motor industry
The views OF Mr. Johnson are re-
earded as keen analysis of the Eu.
ropean automobile situation. b. sed
upon close study OF all factors that
will influence further use of motor
transportation abroad. They were
submitted in his report to the Ma
tional Automobile Chamber Of Com
merce, Of which he IS the Washington
representative.
Auto Out Of Luxury Class.
Among the points developed by MFR.
johnson is the fact that public de.
mand Is removing the automobile
from the luxury class, with the result
that there will be a wider popular
support for measures helpful to mo-
tor transport. There is an increasing
tendency on the continent for persons
to drive their own cars. doing away
with the expense of chauffeurs.
In spite of the slowness of financial
recovery in Europe. automobile sales
this year have made exceptional
strides.
I'm the Scandinavian countries"
Mr.. Johnson says, the American au.
tomobile continues to be the favorite
which 1t always has been. and 80 per
cent Of the imported cars are being
purchased from America. In the cen.
trail European countries, like Austria
and Germany, urfavorabe conditions
have made Tor slower sales in all mo.
tor vehicles. and in the case OF Ger
many, the moor manufacturers par
ticularly are making every effort TO
get things into a position to compete
with the American product.
The chief barriers to future sales
Of motor vehicles appear to be the
need for road development, and In
some countries for lower taxes. Every
where there is an active and growing
effort for road betterment and in some
countries, notably England, France
and Denmark, road programs are well
under way.
England Building Roads.
This is particularly true in Eng.
land where many projects involving
large expenditures have been under.
taken. While the ma jor purpose ha
oeen to alleviate unemployment, the
results already have proved beneficial
to the arterial transportation facilities
In London.
The fact that the car has been
locked upon as a luxury rather than
utility has made for high taxes in
some countries. European makers are
now beginning TO empha size the fact
that the retention Of these levies can
only result in lower returns TO the
treasury. since the number of users
appreciably is curtailed as taxes In
creas Sc.
American cars are proving very
popular in Czechoslovakia.
Trade in England has suffered
from the coal strike, which has been
harmful to every branch of business
there.
The French motor factories are
very active, and the Paris show was
particularly interesting as world
motor event.
Display Well Timed.
More than a score of American
motor companies exhibited in the
French show. This show Is particu
iarly well timed for South American |
trade. and as it comes ahead Of the |
Summer selling season south of the
Equator. There was q large dealer