New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-04
Alfred Reeves Estimates
Total of $4,000 Cars
Absorbed by Public.
PRODUCTION NOW is
EQUAL TO DEMAND
Best Statistics Indicate That a
Million Motor Vehicles Are
Now in Use.
BY ALFRED REEVES.

BY ALFRED REEVES.
Oncisl figures supplied in connection
with the opening OF the fourteenth annual
automobile show indicate that the last
year has been another record one for the
motor car trade. more cars having been
sold in 1915 than during any similar period
in previous years Thus Is continued the
unparalleled record of unbroken gains
each year since 1900 when the automobile
industry may be said TO have taken po-
siUon in American life.
During tie last four or five months
there has been some clearing Of the at
nosphcre by the elimination OF weak and
unstable concerns. and. coupled with the
production of a few thousand cars in ex-
cess or the demand. there has been re-
adjustment OF conditions which makes
FOR greater prosperity during 1914
1t was these few thousand excess cars
that caused pessimists TO decry the motor
car industry. with never thought to the
fact that for fourteen years the industry
has been making gigantic strides. with
wonderful percentages OF increase each
year. and that sooner or later point
must be reached when expansion must be
at a lower ratio. Present factories should
be able TO care for all needs for few
years at least.
No other industry in the world has ever
attained a position where year after year
for fourteen years its sales were limited
only by the supply. The percentage i'm
ovcrproduction last year was not more
than 8 or per cent. and in ordinary in
dustries. whore a cleanup each year on
account of changed models is not deemed
necessary, it probably would not have
been noticed.
As indicating progress. il is to be noted
that during 1900. the year Of the first
automobile show in New York. few
thousand cars were sold. while the MAX
ers come TO the Grand Central Palace
show this year with d record behind them
OF more than $4,000 sales and can point
with pride 10 the fact that there are now
IN active use throughout the country. as
proved by state registrations. more than
100000 motor cars. Aside from that
more than 5000 American cars have been
exported 10 eighty-three foreign coun-
tries of the world OF this more than
2S 900 We're exported this year, as we'll as
parts for probably 1900 cars 10 the Eng
lish and Canadian factories Of Ford.
In 1908. which was the first real big pro-
lln do
followed by 5000 in 1909 $4,000 in 1870
21o.ooO in 1911. 10000 in 1912. and during
the last year $4,000 cars. at an average
selling price Of $50. or a total of $685.
O09,Oo0
To save time and shorten distance has
been the motor cars mission. and II is
both unfair and untrue for pessimists TO
declare il an economic waste. While at
first cars were considered toys and
luxuries for the rich. they are certainly
now necessities for practically every ono.
and with the decreased cost of materials
and better construction a wider field is
offered. so that this country should absorb
a25. 900 motor cars a year.
Undoubtedly many people have auto
mobiles that cannot afford them, but the
same may be said of everything in this
American life of ours. Yet how many
people do we find who are willing to give
them up?
With the depressed general business
conditions this years production of 80
900 cars resulted in an oYerproduction OF
possibly FIVE or six thousand. AS a result.
students of the industry are inclined TO
believe that in normal times the annual
absorption power for motor cars in this
country is about $4,000. The business is
now on firm and substantial basis, the
financially weak concerns having nearly
all been eliminated, as well as concerns
whose products were unmarketable. There
may still be few more weak ones to 60
but in looking over a long list it is clearly
shown that the great majority are on
firm financial basis.
The trade lists show that there are 2ll
companies making pleasure cars. of which
lSJ may be considered actively in the
business. while the 22S concerns making
trucks can be brought down TO seventy
five as far as real producing is con-
cerned.
While there were years when 100 per
cent increase in production was shown,
the increase last year over the year be-
fore was 81 per cent. When one consid-
ers that the Ford Company's increase was
20 per cent. II brings the increase Of the
other companies down 10 II per cent.
Figures vary somewhat and are little
difficult 10 obtain, yet on December 10
the registrations reported by the state
secretaries showed approximately 10000
cars. OF these many were duplicates
as in some cases cars are not registered
annually. but only once by each owner.
as In California Minnesota and Nebraska,
while In some other states registration is
required only once in three years. A few
states have only county registrations.
while the state law in Mississippi Was re-
Gently declared invalid. Deducting du-
plicstions and trimming in every reason
able way, leaves more than one million
cars as the number In actual use in this