Story: Cars and the motor industry

Rouse and Hurrell coachbuilders

Rouse and Hurrell coachbuilders

Building carriages and coaches was a major business, as suggested by the size of the premises of this manufacturer in Courtenay Place, Wellington, around 1902. Coachbuilders faced a major challenge with the advent of the motor car. Many firms began to assemble motor vehicles from imported parts. Rouse and Hurrell began importing Model T Fords in 1908, and sold all its coach-building equipment and stock in 1910. By 1911 it had changed its name to the Colonial Motor Company and its showrooms featured cars, not carriages.

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How to cite this page:

Eric Pawson, 'Cars and the motor industry - Car imports and the assembly industry', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/22839/rouse-and-hurrell-coachbuilders (accessed 20 April 2024)

Story by Eric Pawson, published 11 Mar 2010, updated 1 Dec 2014