New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-10-22
AUTO FIGURES TALK.
BIG ADVANCE IN SALES.
Colonel Pope GiUes Some Facts
after Ran on Long Island.

luncheon was given yesterday at the Cha teau
! des BeauX Arts, at Huntington, Long Island. by
! the Association of Licensed Automobile Manu-
facturers to the automobile press representatives
About twenty-five automobiles carried the
guests from this city TO Huntington. The start
was made from 40th street and Sixth avenue
about noon. The run was to give demOnstra-
ton of the 1908 six-cylinder and four cylinder
models that will be shown at the associations
eighth annual automobile show in Madison
Square Garden November 2 to 9. 1t was a
severe test Once the drivers got on Long ISL
and they let out their at full speed on
stretches. For nearly the entire distance the
machines followed each other closely, throwing
up clouds of dust AS result the passengers
looked if they had been dragged over the
roads when they reached Huntington.
After the luncheon Colonel George Pope.
chairman of the show committee of the Asso-
citation Of Licensed Automobile Manufacturers,
said in part:
These 1908 models, which we have had the
good fortune to see practically tried out, are
undoubtedly the finest products in the line of
motor cars yet seen, and they are destined to
sell readily l want to say that, in spite of the
depression of the stock market the talk of hard
times and the doubts cast upon the wisdom of
holding early shows, the automobile industry
is right fourishing and its prospects are
fine You may take it from me manufact-
urer, and one who knows what is going on, that
fall orders for immediate delivery of 1908 models
cars.
The automobile business Of 1907 far sur
passed that of 1906 and there is good reason to
believe that the business of 1905 will show quite
as great an advance. y long period of weather
prejudiCial to the automobile business was ex-
perienced during the early months of this year,
and there was good reason to fear that the year
would show deClination in sales OF cars. The
facts are interesting There was no frantic rush
of purchasing at any time, but sales were made
steadily from about May l till October l. There
has been a longer selling season this year than
at any time since 1903 and 1904 The returns
upon the sales of cars made by members OF the
Association of Licensed Automobile Manufact-
urers. who pay royalty upon their output,
able me 10 speak from exact figures
The business done by the licensed makers
during the first six months OF 1907 was nearly
as great during the whole OF 1906. The sales
of the 1907 half year amounted to $40. 600, 900
while for the whole Of 1906 they were only S45-
100000. The sales of the first nine months Of
1907 have surpassed the total OF 1906 by moro
than $4,000 600 and the total business Of this
year Will exceed that Of last year by at least
$15,000,000. This IS to say. that the total bust
ness done this year by the licensed makers will
show a gain Of at least 33 Ia per cent over 1906
The figures Justify optimistic outlook for
1908, as does also the quality of the cars them
selves. The American has rapidly attained
the excellence of the foreign product and II has
even demonstrated itself superior for the roads
of this country. The industry has wthstood the
trials Of unfavorabe weather and the blows OF
a panicky stock market. and is stiu in good
condition as whole. Every circumstance war
rants confidence in prosperous future for the
conservative maker and dealer"
John G. Wetmore the only other speaker
In brief and humorous address ne said that II
proof needed that there was no falling off
in the automobile industry should make
visit TO the various factories. he had done
recently. The men were all up TO their necks in
work and were turning out cars as fast as they
could
one of the remarkable developments Of the year
has been the high powered ruuabout which was seen
In small numbers at tho last show, hut which will
rank second in Importance only 20 the touring car
at the show OF the Automobile club Of America
and the American Motor Car Manufacturers As
soclation. which opens Thursday In the Grand
Central Palace. Charles II. Duryea, the mechan-
zeal expert OF tho American Motor Car Manufact-
urers Association, says there will be nearly half
hundred different models on view In that exhibition