BOOM IN MOTOR TRADE IN GREAT BRITAIN ALSO

The New York Times
5 November 1925

Increase of 132 Per Cent. During Five Years in Number of Cars Licensed.

The London Economist publishes a table indicating an expansion in the motor car trade in Great Britain closely parallel to that in the United States. The table shows that, as compared with the preceding year, the number of private licenses increased 17 per cent. in 1922; 30 per cent. in 1923; 24 per cent. in 1924, and in 1925 to date, 22 per cent., making a total increase in five years of 132 per cent. Commercial motors increased 65 per cent. in the same five year period and motorcycles 60 per cent. The Economist makes the following comment on the movement in Great Britain:

“We see from these figures that a very rapid growth has taken place, and the cumulative effect in the short period of five years has been astounding. Judging by the results of the orders taken at Olympia this year, we shall see more than the normal number of new vehicles placed on the roads in 1926. This year, with figures only up to Aug. 31. It is shown that over 277,000 additional vehicles were brought into use, as compared with 1924. The vast majority of these were new vehicles, although we must make allowance for the big array of second-hand motors which were licensed occasionally. If next year we allow that at leeast 300,000 more vehicles come into use, and if the increase from 1921 to 1925 be taken at 650,000 vehicles, we have the remarkable circumstance that in six years about 1,000,000 extra motors will have come on our roads.

“Even to the close student of the motor industry and trade, the present situation has its puzzling features. The motor show has been a phenomonal success, and, putting aside all extravagant claims and estimates, it is certain that the volume of assured business has exceeded all previous records. So suddenly has the rush of new orders come that many manufacturers have been taken by surprise.

“When we consider that this prosperity occurs in a year of general trade depression and at a time when we are burdened with a large army of unemployed and with a big excess of import trade against our export trade, one may well wonder where all the money for motoring is found.”