From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Difficulties and strategy for the American car trade, including the introduction of a new 12-cylinder engine.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\V\October1930-February1931\ Scan185 | |
| Date | 6th January 1931 | |
| [Crossed out: CC. WOR.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager})] FROM R.{Sir Henry Royce} [Crossed out: HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} )] (At Le CanadelHenry Royce's French residence.) ORIGINAL R2/M6.1.31. [Handwritten: 1957?] re. AMERICAN TRADE. I thank Mr. Hives for his very able and complete report. To make cars at Derby and to sell in USA. by RRAI., and enable them to make a profit is very difficult, and perhaps impossible (something like a single firm against a nation.) I agree that if we were to lose RRAI. organisation we should sell only a very few cars, so that we may think it not only fair, but profitable, for us to export our chassis at the lowest price that we can without loss of money. Personally I feel the situation is hopeless unless we completely change our methods and conditions. Originally I had hoped we should be ready, and first, with a 12 cyl. engine, but Cadillac and others have already done this, so that it would come into their market as no novelty, although I believe it is the engine for the big luxury car trade. [Stamp: RECEIVED 4 JAN '32] R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||