The Washington herald., 1911-07-16

known as the months during which the
automobile manufacturer announces his
models for the coming year. Among
many Of them a rivalry exists as to
which one will be able to make the first
announcement. Some few wait until fall
TO introduce their product for the coming
year to the buying public. How much
longer the yearly announcements will
continue to be made is a question that is
now occupying the center of the auto
mobile stage.
large percentage Of the makers seem
to be in favor Of the abandoning OF the
idea of building yearly models and In
stead Incorporating new improvements on
their machines as soon as they are found
by experiments to be practical. In fact'
some of the builders of cars have already
adopted this plan
Passed Experimental stage.
In support of the argumGnt of aban-
donine yearly models the reason most
generally given is that the automoolie
has passed the experimental stage and is
now a staple commodity. 1t has reached
such a point OF perfection that to-day
there are but few changes in the cars
from year to year, and these consist
mainly IN some detail or adding a reflne-
ment that not only enhances the appear
ance of the machine but likewise tends
more toward the comfort OF the occu-
pants.
OF the 1912 announcements already
made outside OF one or two concerns VINO
will have a six-cylinder model in addi-
ton to the four and one who has an
nounced a car OF slightly larger horse
power than its lowest-price machine, only
two manufacturers have made any rad
ical changes. These two have adopted
an entirely new type OF engine. Just
what the others will do remains to be
seen, but It is pretty well understood that
the only changes they Will announce will
be something tending to refinement
What Manufacturers Now Seek.
Flexibility OF motor and quietnesS OF
operation is the object every manufac-
turer is striving for. Whether 1t will be
long-stroke motor, which is conceded
to insure a certain amount of fiexibility'
or inclosed valves, that tend greatly to
insure quietness of operation. remains TO
be seen.
Five years ago. when the industry was
in its infancy. there was a greater rea-
son for the bringing out of a season
model It marked a step in the develop
ment Of the business and was a large
factor IN the selling of machines.
Oftentimes, It could be- more appro-
| priately called a new car than a new
model, for in many instances the entire
| Construction of the car was changed. A
new type Of engine was adopted, and to
meet this requirement a new chassis had
to be designed. Cars were changed from
the old PLANETARY type Of driving mechan-
ism to the selective or progressive type.
Moreover, then there was what was COM
| monty known as an automobile season.
Cars were housed for the winter instead
of being used all the year round. regard
less of weather conditions, as they are
| to-day.
Arguments for Old Methods.
The season model then was, as some
claim It still is, a mark of distinction.
Those in favor of the retention Of the
season model argue that the purchasing
public have become accustomed to refer
to their machines as a 1911 or 1912 prod
uct and do not care to classify them as
a model 20 or according to some technical
change, as they would have to do in the
case Of abandonment of the season model
idea. Again, there are those who wish
to have the latest that is to be found in
automobile construction, or, in other
words, to buy a car every year as soon
as the new model is ready for delivery.
Such a man, II he bought car. and
shortly after the delivery of his machine
| saw one of the same make which had
been delivered to some one else during
the same season, but which incorporated
| improvements lacking on his car, would
he the first to make life anything but
pleasant for the man who sold him his
car. In a word he would consider that
he had not been fully informed as TO
what the company was planning to dc
and that an old model had been worked
of on him. AS things now stand, this
man, when he purchases a car can feel
assured that for one season, at least, nc
/ owner of a car OF the same make VIII
have a car that is any more up-to-oate
than the one he is riding IN.
what the other Side Says.
BY those who favor the abandonment
Of the yearly model idea the rapid de-
| probation on a machince that perhaps Is
but a few months old is one reason given
] for their side of the question. They
claim that many are deferred from pur-
chasing new cars by the idea that within
a few months the next seasons car viii
be on the market and that In case
they should desire to sell they would
not be able to realize what would bt
a fair amount for the car. nor any
thing near its true value. Again, they
bring up the point that some nanufac-
turers who have well-nigh reached the
point of perfection in mechanical con-
struction, which has been found perfectly
satisfactory, merely to bring out some
thing new, are willing to sacrifice the
tried and true for the experimental The
announcement of a model early in the
summer also tends to. shorten the selling
season, so that in case Of a spell OF in
| clement weather or very late spring
one season overIaps another to such ar
extent that there is danger OF beins
unable to dispose Of one year'e output
before the next is Rady for the market
II the new plan is adopted 1t viii NEAR
the end OF automobile shows. The ques
tion has not been fully decided, but def
! mite action is expected next season.
John e. Cook Buried.