The Washington herald., 1916-10-30
GROWTH OF MOTOR CAR
INDUSTRY MARVELLOUS
NJ. A. Bayles Sketches Development Of
Vast New Business.
By NJ. A. BAYLEs.
Manager Record Auto Co.

This is the day Of big industries, hence
we no longer marvel at the growth Of
the automobile business. Ten years ago
1t was hardly large enough to be class
ed as a separate industry. Today 1t Is
our fourth largest. In the beginning,
building automobiles was somewhat OF
an experiment. Gasoline engines were
uncertain quantity, especially in the
hands Of the unskilled. Difficulties OF
various kinds had to be met and over
come Without impairing production,
these improvements had to be made. The
step from the single cylinder to the
four cylinder machine, made within two
years, was a long one.
The buying public is critical 1t always
demands the greatest value for its money
and it is only right that It should. Com
petition between various manufacturers
is very keen. In the beginning one was
afraid not to adopt the latest in the
way Of improvements offered, though In
many cases the Improvement was not
much more than an experiment. There
was a chance that II would be success
full and consequently a very strong sales
argument for the company that did take
II up. The time between presentation
and adoption OF improvements was too
kAort for much experimental work. The
company which had the latest model
Csr on sale got the business. Each
model was an Improvement on the pre-
yious one. Motors were improved, as
were other working parts. New body
designs called into play the Ingenuity
Of the coach builder. He had to build
something pleasing TO the eye, service
able and comfortable under all road con-
ditions-no easy task. Not only was the
coach builder required to design one type
car each year, but rather several, the
demand being for roadsters, five and
seven passenger touring cars and, in
the beginning. a sort OF a closed type
which has developed today into the lin
CUISINE and touring sedan. With the
manufacture Of each model sufficient
spare parts had to be built to care for
requirements along this line, which were
and are today varying.
All Of the improvements Of the motor
car had to be done without a great ex-
penditure 0f money. In the first place
the factories did not have the money to
60 ahead regardless of expense. Sec
ondly, competition would not permit 1t.
As cars have become standardized and
production increased. prices have de-
creased. Ten years ago 1000 cars a year
was an enormous output for any fac
tory. Today the Saxon Motor Car Com
pany is one Of a number Of factories
whose production will run $1,000 cars.
Despite the enormous increase in the
price Of raw material, the cost of auto
mobiles has advanced but very little and
in some cases not at all. This in the
face Of a demand greater than ever be-
fore. By means Of labor and time saving
devices and improved selling methods,
the automobile manufacturers are, to a
great measure, able to offset the in
crease in cost Of material.
Automobiles today are in demand
twelve months in the year. This argues
for a continued healthy condition in the
business. Most every one drives his own
car and the weather must be very severe
when the car is left in the garage. I
can remember when people hesitated to
take their machines out because it was
raining, and with the first cold snap
they laid up their cars for the winter.
Automobiles now are a part Of our bust
ness as we'll as social life
The progressive banker considers the
element OF risk little more on automo-
bile notes than on easy term payments
on houses and lots. How different a few
years back. Approach him with auto
mobile paper and your reception was
anything but wam-it was frigid.
When substantial banking houses take
a friendly attitude toward any commerce
cessity and convenience of the automo-
bile. it is the easiest kind Of an invest
ment to interest a man in.
In the two short years with my own
business in Washington these facts have
been so clearly demonstrated that we
are Incorporating our business to en-
able US to take advantage Of the liberal
opportunities offered in these prosperous
times