The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-02-06
RECORD YEAR
IS EXPECTED
TRADE IN AUTOS PROMISES TO
SURPASs PREVIOUS SEASON.
Local Dealers Say Supply of Machines
Will Hardly Equal the Demand
Many Improvements in This Years
MOdels-American Makes Surpass
French for Use Here.

The automobile trade in Minneapo-
lis promises to experience the most
profitable season in it's history this
prospects were never better for rec
ord breaking sales. 1t is estimated by
conservative men that not less than
four or five hundred machines will be
sold by Minneapolis firms this year.
OF these a large number will go to
smaller towns in the northwest, but
at least two or three hundred will
be used In the city. This will make
| a total of six or seven hundred auto
mobiles in Minneapolis
| The problem Of getting machines
from the factories promises to bother
the local dealers more than the ques-
ton of finding buyers. Many of the
| large manufacturing concerns in the
country have already sold their en-
purchasers are advised to get their
orders in early. That the automobile
lists realize this condition is shown
| by the large number Of sales al
ready recorded. Many, however, are
waiting until after the Chicago auto
mobile show next week to place their
orders. They intend to inspect care
fully the various makes shown, and
then to select a machine. 1t is thought
that large number of sales will fol-
low the Chicago exhibit.
Experts who saw the automobile
show at New York last month agree
| that the American manufacturers
have made great advances during the
last three years. Until this year the
French machine has been recognized
as the best in the market Now,
however, it is admitted that the Amer
leans have turned out models which,
for use on American roads, are SUI
perior to the Gallo designs. Speed
and power are the ideals at which
the French manufacturers aim. The
Americans try to secure these advan-
tages in the highest degree, and at the
same time to build a machine which
will stand the wear and tear Of coun-
try roads in the United States. They
have copied most of the good points
of the French models, and at the
same time have built autos which
will endure lot of grief without
danger of a breakdown. While the
French machines are still recognized
as best for smooth, level roads, the
American makes are superior for use
in this country. r
Many improvements have been
made in the 1904 models of the vari-
Gus makes of automobiles. Several
methods have been employed to add
to the strength of the machine while
at the same time slightly decreasing
the weight. Steel has been employed
in various parts of the frame instead
of iron. The tires have been made
heavier, much trouble having been ex-
perienced last season with this part of
the machine. Many manufacturers
have copied the French tires, which
are more resilient than many Amer
lean makes and still very durable. The
general tendency is toward an increase
of power. Most buyers like high
powered machines, not because they
wish to travel at extreme speed, but
because the more powerful autos
make light of grades and rough roads.
A big touring car$will travel up COM
paratively steep hill without appreci-
able slackening of speed, whereas a
runabout would be compelled to slow
down to almost a footpace.
Dealers say that the auto craze is
not likely to die out like the bicycle
fever. They predicta steady increase
in the volume of trade from year to
year, and scout the theory that prices
will be reduced. The margin of profit
for the manufacturer and retail deal
er is not big enough to permit an APP
best makes Is expected to grow stead
lily, obviating the necessity of any re-
I duction. At present even, the supply
is not more than equal to the demand,
and the demand for autos for CONNER
cial use is. expected to increase fast
: enough to take care of the additional
supply from the new factories that are
being built every year.
The automobile is no longer an ex-
pertinent. 1t has been demonstrated
that a good machine, If properly
handled and cared for, is no more sub
ject to breakdowns than any other
kind Of conveyance. An automobiles
\ can take out his machine for a trip
anywhere from 20 to 1000 miles
in length, and count on arriving al
his destination without mishap.
Nearly all the trouble with autos
l is caused by careless owners or driv-
! ers," said one dealer. can automobile
is beautiful piece of mechanism. II
will not break down, nor give any
trouble. while it is properly handled
A good chauffeur can drive a first-class
: machine 10000 miles in a season. and
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