New-York tribune., 1911-12-03
SMALL CARS NOW ruling
Garden Show Likely to Prove the
Growing Demand.
BUYERS IN THREE CLASSES
Trade Developed Downward, IN
Point of Price, According to
Charles E. Duryea.
By Charles Y. Duryea.

Every body recognizes that the motor is
the important feature Of the motor We
hicle beside which all other parts sink
into insignifcance Yet makers and buyers
are not agreed as 10 what motor or what
kind Of a motor shall drive the automo-
bile OF the future. on this account the
approach Of the twelfth national automo-
bile show, which is to be held in Madi-
son Square Garden from January 20
90 is awaited with much interest. so that
the progress in motors may be learned.
Automobile buyers are divided into
three camps, with more or less minging
and indistinct markings. The first and
oldest comprises those who want the best
regardless OF price They are probably
known to-day by purchasing automobiles
at prices above sS,ooO. In the early days
they recognized that the best was none
too good: to-day they have somewhat the
same feeling Once the leading class,
they are now losing ground proportionate-
". although increasing in numerical
strength.
The second class members want quality
and service combined and have the money
10 pay for IT, They are buying cars from
large class numerically Their prefer
ences 60 further 10 set the styles for the
maker than those Of the other classes. II
may be said that they are the body or
the automobile buying trade. even though
il is likely that they do not form the
largest number Of buyers.
The third class seeks service first and
at lowest prices. II is pidly growing IN
numbers and will be. If not now, the dom
mating class in tie trade What wonder,
then. that with three general classes or
buyers and many sill different minds. We
find diversity of opinion az 70 the regui-
sites of the motor? The first class seeks
snoothness Of running, ample power 10
go anywhere on the high gear and every
detail that promises greater satisfaction
in operation.
They are the ones who nuy slX-cylinder
engines with every attachment which can
be applied to better the result The second
class are satisfied with the very perfect
operation Of the four-cylindered engines
and content TO get practically every result
given by the more complicated six-cylln-
dered ones with a considerable saving IN
purchase price maintenance expense ana
repair costs To them the slight added
length of bonnet and the addition OF a
courle Of cylinders are not enough to COM
nensate for the cost addition which the
maker OF skies makes
The third class go much further In the
matter of cost versus service. They want
the desired general result and at the least
expenditure of money. They get it in the
lighter and less-cylindered cars. The light
Brush. the slightly heavier Maxwell, the
little REQ, Buick and others indicate by
their large sales that this class is growing.
II is the inevitale result Starting with
those who could afford the automobile as
a plaything. the trade has been develop
ing downward The small ear has been
and is still looked 20 by the hundreds
and thousands OF buyers who are still
ploddng behind the horse
The maker Of skies will find that there
are always buyers wanting such ears as
the Peerless the Packard, the Pierce tho
Winton the Steyens-Duryea, the White
the Alec. the MathesOn. the Lozier. the
Simplex, the Pope Hartford and many
others The standard four-cylinder cars as
made by Corbin, Haynes, Cadillac, Frank
lin, Marmon. Jackson, Moline and a host
OF others will long remain standard, but
the indications seem to be that the small
car is. coming into IT'S own rapidly, and
that the small motor on both sides of the
water is looming larger than ever.
The moral of the situation is that the
small motor should receive close attention
and it's development watched with interest.
one OF the cornerstones OF the business,
and largely rejected N still holds DrOmise
Of becoming the leader. The Madison
Square Garden automobile show, which. by
the way, will be the last to be held in the
famous structure. will reveal all the latest
wrinkles In motor car construction, and
will he worth the attention Of every one
Interested in motor cars.