14 APRIL 1933, Page 3

The British Car The record set up by Lord Howe

and Captain Eyston in their M.G. cars in the Italian Mile Miglia race is only one of a number of notable indications of the striking progress the British motor industry is achieving. The skill and endurance of the drivers were manifestly essential constituents of victory, but the success of small ears in standing up to so exacting an ordeal was demon- strated none the less notably for that. The fact is that the supremacy of the British car, particularly the British light car, is being rapidly established and consolidated. The, leading firms of manufacturers all report record orders. Motor shares are steadily rising, and—most note- worthy of all—it is reported that the export of cars from this country in the last quarter was greater than that from the United States. At last, therefore, British cars are getting recognition abroad. What part Protection has played in all this it would be interesting, but difficult, to determine. That has existed since 1916 and the expansion revealed to-day is mainly an affair of the last three or four years. The depreciation of the £ has probably as much to do with it.

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