Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-02-16
EVERY EIGHTH
FAMILY IN UNITED
STATES HAS A GAR
RECORD OF YEAR 1916 AS ANTI.
CIPATED BY AUTOMOBILE
DEALERS

Statistics show that there are now
2,444,000 automobiles in the United
States, and that this amount is three
times the amount of cars in the rest
of the world; that II per cent of the
cars are being operated on the roads
of the United States, and during the
year 1916 one in every eight families
in the United States will own motor
car.
On this page of the Banner is shown
the Big Overland Family as shown by
Ames & Unger, local Overland deal
ers. In talking with Mr.. Unger in re-
gard to the sale of Overland cars the
coming season, he advocated very
strongly the advisability of customers
placing their orders early. The fac
tory is taxed to it's limit and early
orders will make prompt delivery
more probable.
Never i'm the history of the selling
of automobiles have Bedding and Ionia
county dealers sold so many cars for
immediate and spring delivery.
While the growth of Overland cars
is a pleasant indication with produc-
ton of 1000 cars a day and the recent
reduction of the 35-H p. Model 83
touring car to $685., because of the
saving that the Overland Co. made of
three and one-half millions of dollars
on buying aluminium and one million
of dollars on steel before the war
prices and eliminating the experiment
tai stage by the production of $4,000
of the cars to this date hence the $55
reduction. Countrywide prosperity
and popularity of Overland cars is an
other suggestion in this happy condi-
ton that is not without its signifi-
canoe. In brief, it means that the
public is not waiting for seasonal
selling periods nor for any other rea-
son. They are buying now and taking
on chances.
There never was a time in the his
tory of motor car manufacturing,
when immediate action was so neces-
sary for the buyer, or when delay in
making a purchase involved so many
dangers. 1t is not merely a question
of immediate deliveries, which by the
way, dealers are able to make. 1t is,
rather, a situation due to commercial
and manufacturing conditions affect
ing the price of materials, parts and
labor. As everyone knows, prices for
motor car essentials-have-mo sky
high, and are continuing to soar.
Aluminium has increased about 300 per
cent in cost in a year; copper has adj
vanced about 100 per cent, high alloy
steels have increased in some instan-
ces so per cent in cost, and labor
charges are from 10 to 20 per cent
greater than ever before.
The established Overland motor car
makers have already gone through the
preliminary stages of organization and
development and have reached quality
and quantity production, make their
contracts for materials and the deliv-
cry of materials months ahead. To
some extent, therefore, they are pro-
tected against immediate changes, and
the public. through them, is protected.
But with the huge volume Of business
the current season has suddenly de-
veloped there is a possibility of these
early contracts being exhausted soon
er than was anticipated.
There is no guarantee, therefore,
that selling prices can remain as they
are. The buyer, rs we'll as the manu-
facturer, is up against the danger Of
falling victim to these soaring prices.
In other words, it was never before so
important for the buyer to take no
chances. but to buy now. Buying now
means neutrality-suspicious. against
possible rise in the retail price and
a possible delay in delivery.