Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-08-24

of 1916, IS per cent of that total have
already been made. In 1914, 100000
cars We're manufactured; during the
first half of 1916 hat many and more
than half again as much have been
shipped.
Predictions of 1900, 900 cars for 1916
do not seem far amiss, wen though this
is an increase of more than 55 per
cent over 1915, or in actual NUMBERS,
500, 900 more cars made this year than
last.
The total retail value of the passen-
ger cars built in the United States in
1915 was $5G5, 56,45O. Thus far in 1916,
or for the period of the first half year.
the retail value of The passenger cars is
in excess of $4S1. 0 5000.
One of the most Important problems
in connection with the work OF a big
production concern is that of diStribu-
ton. 1t is necessary to know he ter
ritory and the people in which the cars
are to be sold, and therefore data
which would tend to bring out infor-
nation regarding which states are in
creasing fastest in number Of cars, or,
in other words. which are buying most,
is OF greatest interest. 1t has been said
that the farmer is the greatest car
purchaser of today, and this seems
borne out when it is noted that OHIO
bought more cars than any other state
during the last half of 1915 II the
first half of 1916. Actual figures cannot
be given for increase up to July l.,
1916, but for the six months ending
January /, 1916, the number of cars in
Ohio increased by 5S.802, or 4S per cent
over it's previous number
Farmer the Greatest Car Buyer.
The farmer is all important as a car
buyer. In Oklahoma, the increase of
cars for the year of 1916, as compared
with 1915 insofar as figures can be
complied at the present time, is $50 per
cent. In Mississippi it is 1875 per CEN
In Louisiana, 21C per cent, and in Idaho,
lit per cent. In the great farming state
Of Iowa, there is one car to every IA
PERSONS; in Nebraska, one to every 20
persons, and throughout the other big
farming states on h corn and wheat
belts similar conditions prevail. The
county fair of today rs incomplete
without its attending automobile ex-
hibits. And unlike many of the pre-
tentious automobile shows held, the
farmers actually come to buy as well
as to look.
During the six months ending July /,
1916, the number Of passenger cars ex-
ported to foreign countries has been in
excess of $4,000 and valued at more
thar S24, 900 900. Detailed figures are
not as yet available for the month Of
June, but from January until the end of
May the average monthly expectation
was 5,645 cars and the average
value Of the car shipped abroad
was $4,059,S7S per month. The exact
totals Of the passenger cars shipped
from the country during the five
months ending June ], 1915, was 2S,227
cars valued at $50, 299,3 1893.
During the first half of 1916 the num-
Der OF passenger cars made per month
In the United States averaged 1876, sly.
With the average monthly expectation
of 5,645 just o Az per cent Of our
total passenger car production is
shipped abroad. Uncle Sam probably
will always continue to be his own best
customer, but the markets Of the world
are pen to him and the probabilities
are that the clos. of the European con-
flict will open large markets which are
now inaccessible. 1t is of course
natural to assume that the home indus
tries of Europe will be protected, but
II conditions are as they might b. ex-
pected to be the market for automobiles
will be larger than the recreated
European factories can handle.
TO sum up the situation, the 754, SOC
cars which have been made have prac-
tlcally all been sold, and in many sec
tons Of the country dealers are already
clamoring for their share Of the other
100000 which are to be manufactured
during the remaining six months. and
when the ear Of 1916 shall come to a
close, if present conditions hold unit
the end, the United States will have
peen enriched by the possession OF con
siderably more thar 81, 900. 900. 600
worth of cars.