- Title: FRANCE: PARIS MOTOR SHOW GOES ON DESPITE FALLING SALES AND OIL CRISIS.
- Date: 4th October 1974
- Summary: 1. GV Exterior of show 0.03 2. GV PAN interior cars on display 0.17 3. LV Sign quotes economy 0.21 4. SV Peugeot 104L on display 0.26 5. CU Lady looking 0.27 6. LV VW Golf on display 0.35 7. SV PAN FROM Fiat 126 TO Fiat 132 0.43 8. SV Citroen CX2000 on stand 0.51 9. CU ZOOM OUT Ford Prototype Ghia coins 0.58 10. SV Simca 1100 LX 1.10 11. CU and LV Girls climb into the three front seats of Matra Simca Sports Baghera (2 shots) 1.23 12. GV Show 1.25 13. LV Jaguar XJ6L 1.30 14. SV Mercedes 280 SL 1.33 15. SV Chrysler Imperiale 1.36 16. GV Renault cars on display 1.39 Initials OS/1850 OS/1906 Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 19th October 1974 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: PARIS, FRANCE
- Country: France
- Reuters ID: LVA7HACYLNK01H37KYF6V4VFC6ZS
- Story Text: Sixty-four of the world's car makers presented their latest models at the Paris motor show which opened yesterday (October 3) undeterred by falling sales, mounting costs and, for the French, the possibility of petrol rationing.
Within hours of the opening, the French Government authorised a five per cent rise in car prices but many experts feel the Government will bring in some restrictions on the use of fuel within a few weeks to ease the situation in the country.
However, the Paris Salon de L'Automobile, one of the world's biggest car shows, still manages to retain the glitter and gloss which makes it a centre of attraction for would's motor manufacturers.
This year, Britain has 15 different makes of car on show. Italy exhibits nine and West Germany and the United States seven each. But there is only one new French model, the Citroen CX2000, among the 12 French makes at the show.
Despite the impressive turnout, there is a general feeling of gloom. Most companies spoke of depressing sales figures and disappointing orders. Many felt that the increasing problems of fuel supply may compound their difficulties and force further recession in the business.
Europe's largest manufacturers, Volkswagen, is facing an uncertain financial situation. It has invested some 800 million sterling in the past two or three years to introduce an entirely new line of cars - including VW Golf - which have been received with enthusiasm by the public and have largely removed Volkswagen's vulnerable dependence on the Beetle. But production costs are high, and the company will possibly run into losses amounting to about 100 million sterling this year.
Yet another company with troubles is British Leyland, although it is still financially sound. It has suffered a drop of 15 percent in sales during the first nine months of this year. But a spokesman said the sales of the prestigeous Jaguar XJ6 series have gone up by 45 percent.
The only companies experiencing relative success seem to be those making small cars. The French state-owned Renault Company for example, reported improved sales with a production increase of 10 percent so far this year. The company attributed its success largely to the smaller Renault Five model.
SYNOPSIS: However, rising petrol prices have boosted the sales of smaller cars, such as Peugeot 104L. The German firm, Volkswagen, has invested some eight hundred million sterling in the past couple of years to produce a new range, including this VW Golf.
The Fiat 126 and Fiat 132 seen here are among the one and a half million cars turned out annually by the Italians in spite of their financial difficulties.
This car, Citroen CX2000, is the only completely new French car on display. A company spokesman said this model is selling at a rate of three hundred a day.
GHIA - prototype from Ford is adaptable for running on batteries.
Chrysler-France is another French maker at the exhibition. This year, the company is showing Simca eleven hundred LX and the Matra Simca Sports Baghera...This sports demonstrated here in the nicest possible way.
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