The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-01-14

STABILITY OF THE
AUTO INDUSTRY.
80 *****, $50 49, $3.50:

There undoubtedly exists a great
variance OF opinions as to the stabili-
~ of the automobile industry. There
are many who hold to the opinion that
the so-called automobile fever is just
craze that will soon die out and there
are also many very well-informed peo-
pie. who claim the automobile is q
factor i'm the natural growth of the
transportation problem, and that it is
now firmly established as a perma-
nent industry.
From the following il seems appa-
rent the latter view is worthy Of much
consideration. In the United States
in 1895 there were only five compa-
MES engaged in the manufacture of au-
tomobiles, the total output being sew
enty cars of value of $l51500.
In 1906 there were about 1O1 con-
Germs in the business, with an output
of 2S,400 cars, of value of $4,000 0OO
Comparing with this the figures for
1910, partly estimated, we find $50
concerns with an output of $4,000
cars of a value of $24O 0O0, 900.
Capital invested, including accesso-
ries, will total very nearly half a mil
lion dollars. In the manufacturing OF
cars, parts. etc, and including selling
agencies, there are. approximately,
l,6S5,O00 men dependant on the in
dustry. on the face of il these fig
ures would indicate the automobile
has evidently established itself as a
permanent institution.
Speaking briefly, we find the large
majority of cars manufactured to date
have been for pleasure purposes.
While the lowering of prices, in GER
tain instances, will have a tendency
to increase the sales of pleasure cars,
to certain extent, and while this
branch of the industry will probably
call for the manufacture of 100, goo TO
100000 cars a year, for many years To
come. it is an accepted fact that the
great future of the business for the
next ten years or so is in the com
mercial car.
1t has been demonstrated that. I'm
many cases, motor. trucks can be used
to much greater advantage than
horse-drawn vehicles from the stand
point of economy as well as efficiency.
Judging from great many factors
bearing on this division of the indus
try, we feel it very reasonable to
predict a most substantial growth in
the manufacture and use of CONNER
cial motor vehicles
Taking Our exports and imports, we
find that automobiles are rapidly in
creasing factor i'm international COM
rnerce In less than ten years our ex-
ports of automobiles have increased
about $50 per cent. Imports of foreign
cars have, in the last few years.
shown a decreasing tendency.
While the area Of Great Britain is
small, the number of
motor cars in use is proportionately
greater than any other part of the
world, The principal demand there is
for good, servicable car, Of Is to 20
horsepower. to sell for about $500 TO
S1,OOO The introducing of such a car
by American manufacturers would un-
toubtedly meet with material success
rom the start.
In France, Italy, South Africa, Cam
ida, British Guiana and China. we find |
evidence of an increasing interest i'm. |
md demand for, servicable, moderate
priced, American built cars, and a |
.oreign campaign along liberal lines.
~ our manufacturers, would probably |
go long way toward substantially |
Increasing the popularity of American |
punt pleasure and commercial vehi-
lies.
The argument has been advanced
nat large majority of automobiles |
rave been purchased by mortgages.