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).
Visit to the U.S.A. in March 1932, reviewing the American automobile industry.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 19\4\ Scan364 | |
| Date | 31th March 1932 | |
| R.{Sir Henry Royce} From Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rn.{Mr Robinson} c. to Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to Rg.{Mr Rowledge} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. to EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} Mx.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} c. to Pn.{Mr Northey} X7772 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rn.{Mr Robinson}1/MA.31. 3. 32. VISIT TO U.S.A. MARCH 1932. In reviewing the existing condition of the Automobile Industry in the U.S.A., one is particularly impressed by the tremendous research and technical recources at their disposal, and the marked growth of specialisation in component production. To appreciate their financial condition it is first necessary to remember their enormous home market which has only just reached saturation point. This home market has been free from artificial restrictions in design such as have been imposed by illogical taxation assesment and high fuel cost in England; their only problem has been to produce an automobile that satisfies the public. Again during the past ten years, they have had the majority of the export trade of the World. The whole industry, therefore, has been enjoying a period of surprising prosperity, and they have been able to devote huge sums of money to research and experimental work. This they have done, and their products today are benefitting very greatly in consequence. To deal firstly with the American luxury automobiles likely to challenge our title of leading the world. Now that they have eliminated the faults mentioned in Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rn{Mr Robinson}/Feb.lst 1932., the 16 cylinder Cadillac is a very good automobile. General Motors lent me their latest job for a test. The power unit develops about 175 B.H.P. The top mean speed in still air timed on the General Motors track is 90 M.P.H. It is remarkably smooth at all speeds. The steering is free from road reactions and very fairly selective. The suspension is not so good as the P.II but much improved, the ride control makes.it stable at speed. | ||