Export Vehicle Design

Abstract

The author seeks to show that the change of outlook, occasioned by the demand that a far greater proportion of output be exported than in past years, calls for a special study of overseas market requirements.

The difficulties of meeting road transport regulations in other countries are explained, with respect to the vital need for achieving the maximum degree of standardization, and the obstacles to this imposed by home regulations are described.

A description of climatic and topographical conditions found abroad is included, and it is maintained that the designer should be given the opportunity of making contact with the operator, and of experiencing such operating conditions for himself. An outline questionnaire, covering the kind of information required before design is commenced, forms an appendix, some aspects of which are elaborated in the main text. The questionnaire comprises a section covering the general requirements for the particular territory, and a section covering specific requirements for a particular duty within that territory. Certain features in design that are readily acceptable in overseas markets are noted.

The paper is illustrated by some interesting photographs of the road conditions that have to be faced by vehicles in service.

After touching on the question of after-sales service, the author concludes by emphasizing the value of compromise in the design of export vehicles.

Many of the principles suggested in this paper are applicable to any export commodity, but the author's interpretation of them is naturally coloured by his experience with commercial trucks and buses.