The Washington times., 1907-11-24

Automobile conditions, from the retail
selling standpoint, seem 70 be the re-
verse in America from those in Europe.
Last weeks sales on Automobile Row
ia New York and other large cities have
been satisfactory IN high powered and
high priced American cars, as Wei as
IN foreign cars, when compared Y'itn
sales for the corresponding week If last
year, and this Notwithstanding the
boarding Of currency which caused the
temporary stringency in the money mar
ket. wherefrom the country IS gradually
recuperating-
The retail trade IN automobiles for I'm
mediate delivery in November is gener-
ally very duh. ard naturally was eX-
pected to be duller al a time when the
rich feel poor because their money does
not bring the usual income SIN, IL
was precisely this very class Of rich
who parted with their money In eE-
change for good priced automobiles. The
medium priced and low priced car on
the other hand, did not share the pub
lie favor as the buyer Of such cars
seemingly found il more prudent 10 walt
and not part with his money until the
general feeling has undergone change.
Dearth in Low Power Cars.
To Judge from the European press.
the dailies as well as the weekly and
monthly automobile papers, there exists
q slump IN Europe. and especially IN
France. Germany, and Italy. In the de-
mand for high powered cars. while "a
dearth exists In low powered cars. which
actually command a premium OF 10 per
cent over catalogue prices High pow
cred cars are offered at lower prices.
and every Indication points TO the fact
that. with the exception o. two OF three
makes, French high wered cars will
be cheaper while medium hOrsepoWcE
Es0S French cars viii command lhe same
prices as in 1857, and in the Voiturette
or low powered class prices viii even
advance. This phenomenon is explained
By the welI-known law OF supply and
demand This change of heart among
the French buyers will certainly help
the firmer establishment OF the vOituT-
cite. a class OF car which. when not
oyertaxed or abused. IS certainly very
desirable.
Quality seems to make the price Just
now in France, instead Of the price
making the quality.
/ 90 not think that the higher powered
car viii lose its popularity In America
Il takes strong frame to carry a
heavy load and. Furthermore. % move
such a chassis a higher powered motor
! 10 needed.
The Furoucau automobile crisis IS ex-
/ ggsrated-stil II eXists-and any sick
ness is easier TO be cured 81 recognized
| instead Of being denied.
Fixes the Cause.
A French writer OF authority ascribes
/ the slump 20 two causes:
First-Too many new factories. with
inadequate plant and capital, have been
started
second-Fashion is tickle, and the
/ fashion In France Just now IS for the
! 12-15-horsepower town car and the 24-25-
4 horsepower touring car.
/ This critic adds. however. that Ameri
! cans. being in the habit OF carrying five
/ 10 seven passengers in their cars against
/ three to four in Europe. and bearing in
mind the generally bad roads and
] streets in America, will have 70 in
crease the horsepower Of their cars over
/ the new European standards-to 20-23
I for town cars end 1875 for touring cars.
| In my estimation. no general rules as