Los Angeles herald., 1910-01-16
AUTO INDUSTRY
GROWS RAPIDLY
Expert Declares Demand for Cars Far
Exceeds Supply, and Factories
Are Unable to Cope With
the Situation

1t has been stated by a competent
authority that no industry has made
the gigantic strides or has shown the
wonderful development within the same
period of time as has that of the auto
mobile.
That it was destined to take the
place of the horse in a degree, or that
it's existence would prove ultimately a
boon to mankind, was beyond the most
vivid imagination. Today the industry
occupies a position high up on the list
of the world great industries, with
many millions of invested capital and
with an army of employees.
It's growth, in fact, is one Of the re-
markable chapters in the industrial
history of the country. In decade it
has become one of the most flourishing
pursuits in the field of business
activity. All through the middle west,
where many of the largest producers
of wagons and buggies are located, it
will be found that the manufacture of
automobiles is fast supplanting the
production of horse-drawn vehicles.
AS a matter of fact, many of the most
prosperous automobile concerns are
made up of men who have been or
who are at the present time associated
with the wagon and carriage industry.
Factories Well Distributed
In the opinion of men who have fol-
lowed the trend of industrial develop
ment, the permanency of the automo-
bile is assured. The argument presented
is that no exertion is required in its
operation, and the ease and rapidity
with which distant points can be
reached. That this view of the indus
try is not confined to any one section
of the country, but obtains all over,
is readily verified by the substantial
character of the structures that have
been reared to dispose of the product
Of the factories in the big cities.
In round figures, the amount of busi-
ness done in automobiles and acces-
sories in New York city is roughly
estimated at $30,00O,000 annually. More
automobiles, in fact, are sold in New
York than In any other city in the
world. In fact, so extensive has the
at tomobile industry become an organ
ization to solidify trade interests has
been organized in New York.
AS is probably well known, an auto
mobile merchant, in ordering cars
months ahead, is supposed to be able
to, discount the future. This gauging
the supply far ahead of the demand
on the part of the members of the
dealers organization is zealously fol-
lowed by the great factories in the
west. For, after all, it is the market
that regulates the law of supply and
demand, and New York is the most
active automobile market. The flnan-
cial condition today of the New York
Automobile Trade association, the cor
porate name under which all the con-
Germs in New York are united for the
common good, is the most prosperous
in it's history.
Demand for Cars Urgent
Never before has the demand for cars
been so urgent. The trouble is not
with the automobile factories SO much
as it is with the makers of automobile
parts. All over the country there is a
hue and cry for more parts, but not
withstanding the fact that the part fac
tories have been working night and day
for months past. they have been unable
to produce material fast enough to meet
the demand. And it is a foregone con-
clusion that you will find a scarcity of
standard types on the market before
the season is far advanced.
"The prophecy made at the beginning
of the year that 1000 cars would be
produced during the 1910 season." said |
an expert in the automobile industry, |
has been shattered. and 1 doubt !