The Detroit times., 1912-04-15

\NgASHs ass.Es.
WE HAD HOPED that this season the usual spring
scramble for automobiles would be averted in the
case of Studebaker at least-but alas tor Wen
laid plans
NOT THAT WE ARE coMPLAINING-not in the
least So far as we ourselves concerned. Far
from being unpleasant the condition that confronts
the Studebaker Corporation this Spring OF 1917 wen
nigh ideal
THAT is SPEAKING from manufacturers point OF
view.
BUT FROM YOUR STANDPoINT-it is different.
That's what we wanted to talk about-and to advise
you how best to 60 about 1t to meet the conditions
that obtain and ward OF disappointment
HERETOFORE AS YOU KNOW there has always
been tremendous might almost say .a hopeless
shortage Of Flanders go" and EMF go cars
in the Spring months-the rush season
ONE OR TWO OTHER MAKES that were popular
with buyers shared with to extent this pleasur
able over-demand Pleasurable but disheartening at
that For one disikes to disappoint So many good
friends. Then too when you know you make the
best automobiles tor the money you hate to see s00a
THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE CASE We were
powerless to remedy II. The EMF Company was
young. Had made tremendous progress, but there
was limit to financial And, anyway, fac
tories be equipped only about 50 fast. Machine
tools can't be wished into form.
BUT THIS YEAR it different. This big forty-hve
million dollar Corporation felt equal to the task OF
supplying the full demand for its two models
herculean tho It was.
WITH UNLIMITED CAPITAL at it's command with
the largest and best equipped plants In the world;
with engineering and manufacturing organization
second to none; contracts for material placed and
deliveries assured; it seemed if even our splendid
sales force would be unable to keep ahead OF the pro-
ducton department.
AND WE HAVE DONE ALL out to do. That
Is to say we estimated that $4,000 cars divided into
would surely supply the demand.
WE FELT SURE WE HAD NOT underestimate the
demand We knew the unparalleled popularity OF
these famous only throughout the length and
breadth of America, but in all other civilized coun-
tries, but
WE THOUGHT $4,000 CARS would do. Some of our
competitors warned us it too many-the rest of
WELL, WE'RE UP to schedule few cars ahead of
it on April LIST and carried from March to
April orders for 4722 cars. Most of them Flanders
LOOK AT THIS Records almost unbelievable
In December, when would-be competitors sub
ssting balls and waiting for the season. to
open up the Studebaker plants shipped 5000 In
January Inventory monthly, 1000.
IN FEBRUARY 1900; in March 1901, and the schedule
for April is o00-and, we have said, little
ahead Of the schedule.
IN THE WICKEDEST WINTER in fifty years. you'll
recall You'd have thought that would help US by
retardng demand-it did leave other makers
their floors. But if the harder the condi-
tons of roads and weather the more careful people
are about selecting their automobiles
5000 A MONTH is THE SCHEDULE for April, May,
june, July ana August, ana we'll make them, but as
the little boy said, that's almighty darndest.
WORKING OVERTIME NOW-and men can stand
only about much of that We don't like overtime
at all. But we're doing utmost to keep up with
the demand-and we still in sight of it. tho
breathless.
THERE'S THE CONDITION as it stands today 1t is
up to you What are you going to do about it7
ANALYZE IT. It means that lot of people are going
to have to wait for deliveries and lot will be
appointed-compeled to accept other car
second best value-for all will not be able to get
Flanders 40" or EMF $50" cars
1T ISN'T so BAD as 1t looks, in way The shortage
OF Flanders "20s' is apparent than real-for our
capacity is 80 more COS per day than sos. But it's
bad enough. And it shows have again fallen
short of our ambition hard have tried to
realize It.
WE ARE TELLING YOU THIS because VIC have
repeatedly asserted to dealers and the public that
would surely avert the Spring scramble Now that
we know that we have failed we feel that you
frank statement of the facts.
OF COURSE IN TELLING YOU we cannot help
telling competitors also-and very naturally they
will use it against us-try to persuade you to buy
their cars the grounds former years, "You
can't get Studebaker Cars-either model" And thatll
be true-uness you beat other buyer to it.
WE FELT SURE would be able to supply every
possible customer with Flanders "20'-but re-
member