Evening star., 1927-05-08


A cver-increasing numbers, and
4 not only is the volume of eX-
ports large as compared with the
record in the past, but a careful
compilation of available figures
shows that the current year will
develop d still further upward trend
III the export field.
There is definite indication of this
increase during the remainder OF the
year 1927. Figures for the first two
months represent volume appre-
ciably beyond that for 1926, when
the value Of exports of automobiles,
parts and accessories totaled $780,
l66,35S. During last year there were
approximately $4,000 units shipped
abroad, including cars assembled in
foreign countries Authoritative es-
Inmates for the current year yield a
tgurc forecast as being upward OF
$4,000.
The number of units exported dur
ing January totaled 29,835 automo-
biles and trucks, the largest number
exported since April, 1926. In Feb
ruary the aggregate rose even
higher, totaling 3l,475 units, making
a complete total for the first two
months OF 6l,310 units. Although
some of the parts shipped abroad
Tor assembly are included, in these
figures they do not represent the
total amount shipped
During January 22,122 passenger
cars and 7,7l3 trucks were shipped.
Truck exports represent virtually a
50 per cent increase over shipments
of January, 1926. when 5,14l units
were exported to foreign markets.
This number rose in February, 1927,
10 l0,l20, thereby establishing a new
export record for this commodity.
For the last several years, truck
exports have steadily increased in
the number of units, the percentage
OF increase constantly growing. Dur
ing 1926 the increase i'll truck ex-
ports amounted to approximately II
per cent, while passenger car ex-
ports increased only about 10 per
cent. While trucks heretofore have
formed only a relatively small per-
centage of the total exports of au-
tomotive products, they have become
increasingly important and during
the first months of the present year
made up roughly % per cent of the
total exports of automotive units.
American manufactures, of course.
are taking this into consideration in
their campaigns for foreign markets.
x x X
Increased reliance upon trucks
throughout the world, according to
Irving II. Taylor, assistant chief of
the automotive division of the De-
partment of Commerce, is response
BILE Tor the sudden rise in the num-
Der OF exports. transportation is
becoming a problem of ever-increas-
ing Importance and a salutary solu-
ton is through the motor car.
There are many countries that
have been troubled by the lack of
adequate transportation facilities"
Mr.. Taylor points out. These
countries now are turning to the au-
tomobIle. Many of them, especially
in South America, are confronted
with two difficulties. First. thew
need a solution of the problem as
quickly as possible, and secondly.
they are limited as to the funds
available. The automobile, both pas
senger and truck, is the cheapest.
for the roment, as we'll as the quick
est solution.
Railroad building requires a long
time as well as large amounts of
money. In many cases the building
OF railroad is not warranted from
the economic standpoint as there is
not enough business to repay the
initial cost. This business. however.
IS easily taken care of with one or
two trucks or busses and the num-
ber of units easily can be increased
as the need for them increases"
sk X x x
At present the leading foreign
markets for American cars are
Australia, Argentina and South
Africa. In the two British domin-
IONS. despite a preferential tariff
winch is given cars of English manu-
facture, American cars are either far
IN advance of British autorlotiye
products or at least holding their
own. A determined effort on the part
OF English manufacturers now is
being made in Australia to spread
the popularity of their products. and
while the result of this campaign
cannot be foretold, American manu-.
facturers feel confident that they
VIII be able to hold their market.
No sudden gains in any particular
country where a market already
exists is looked for, in the opinion
or Mr.. Taylor. There will be a
steady and gradual gain along the
lines OF past years, he feels.
hose countries which already
produce cars have placed certain re-
strictlons upon machines of foreign
manufacture" he states, "aud while
American makes continue to be sold
IN increasing number the competi-
tion given by local manufactures is
keen"
A considerable number of coun.
tries have special taxes on automo-
biles, such as luxury and commission
taxes, he points out, and cites
Rumania, which, by a new tariff
schedule has a luxury tax of 10
per cent plus a 2 per cent commits
sion tax on cars weighing between
1900 and 1900 Kilograms. The lux
ury tax IS raised TO Is per cent for
cars weighing more than 1900 kilo-
grams. These taxes, he shows, have
made the cost of a car weighing
above 1900 Kilograms almost pro-
hibitive.
"Such barriers are difficult to over
come he asserts, "and act as a re-
striction on increasing our foreign
sales"
* X * X
Of the American cars assembled
abroad during February in the y