Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-01-17
THE FUTURE
By ALBERT G. METZ
Assistant Managing Editor automobile Trade
Journal

Assistant Managing Editor automobile Trade
Journal
When one glances back into the dark
ages" of the automobile industry in this
country some eighteen or twenty years
ago and compares the production OF cars
in those days with present production fig
ures one is astonlshed at the tremendous
growth of this yet-yOung industry. In the
year 1900 the total output of all makers
for the year was somewhat like 5000 cars,
. sum fading into insgnifeance when placed
side by side with the production figures of
the year just closed, which reached the
grand total of l,305,O0O pleasure cars. Con-
sidering 900 working days, the average
output at the present time is virtually 1900
cars per day. And when takes into
consideration the prosperous condition of
the country, an output of nearly 100000
cars for the year 1912 will assuredly be
realized
1917 OUTPUT
In an article published in the December
issue of the Automobile Trade Journal the
production of pleasure cars for the year
1917 is estimated at t,69O.2S1. This num-
ber is not mere guess, but the results OF a
careful compilation Of figures given out
by the active manufacturers of pleasure
cars at the present time. In many instances
the figures supplied are discounted, for the
reason that many new makers are prone to
overestimate their output, either as the re-
suit of too much optimism or from lack of
knowledge as 10 the capabilities of their fac
tories
With the difficulty encountered at the
present time to obtain material, many
makers will find themselves hard pressed
and will have to curtall their output ac-
cordingly However, If the figures Of the
makers We're actually used. the output
would exceed the two-milion mark.
From 1912 when 27500O cars worth
$475,00O,000 were produced. until the end
OF 1916, the motorcar industry grew at
prodigous rate. Last year 100000 cars
worth SllOO, 900 600, were produced. This
year, according to the plans Of the manu-
facturers, 1,690.291 cars, representing "A
total value of S1,2OO,OOO 900, will be put on
the market
$1,000 600 900 IN CARS
Just think of it, one billion, two hun
dred million dollars worth of automobiles
are to be built this year, And these figures
will more than likely be exceeded than not
reached. 1t is hard to realize the greatness
of this industry; even those intimately ac-
quainted with the business fail 10 grasp
the enormity of IT, The average price per
car has steadily decreased even though the
majority Of manufacturers have increased
prices since last year. This reduction is due
almost wholly TO the reductions made in
price by two big quantity manufacturers,
The average price would naturally be
higher We're not the outputs of these guam
tity producers included The average |
pleasure car i'm 1919 cost something like |
1870. This year the average price IS about !
S7iO.
These figures take into consideration only |
one factor-the output of complete ma
chimes How about the kindred industries |
that contribute their share to this greatest |
of all American industries, the manutac- |
tuTers of tires, accessories, bodies, tops, up |
holstery. etc Just imagine the business |
these concerns do, let alone the garages;
repair shops, service stations and the retall
sales concerns.
sI64, 100000 FOR EXTRAS
At a low average. it Is estimated that
about s35 is spent for additional accessories
per ear during the first year OF its existence.
In many cars very little Is found wanting |
IN the line of accessories, but such parts as
bumpers, special Jacks, tire chains, seat
covers. etc, are usually purchased in addi-
ton to the regular equipment. number
of the 1917 cars are fitted with bumpers,
spot lights and such parts as were formerly
regarded as unnecessary
Therefore, considering S35 as a fair estI-
mate, and multiplying the same by the NUM-
Der Of cars TO be built for 1917, we get the
sum OF s59500,000 for accessories alone
This does not include requirements or re-
pair parts. Now add 10 this sum the low
estimate OF $50 per car for set Of tires
ana We get a few additional millions
{l05. 00O, coo And so one could keep on
plllng up the millions
asATURATION" NOT NEAR
These figures naturally astound the lay
man who has no conception OF the immense
business done In this industry. The question
lafuFally Is asked. When viii this increase
n production cease2 VIII II be one year.
NO years, i've or tenG Certainly not within
he next nye years Even though the war
Ihonid terminate tomorrow, the result would
g the same. Europe win need plenty Of the
over priced ears. And Il Will be up 70
luIefican manufacturers 10 produce them
AAl IS & fheg are .on the job
ease-saa seasaale. aus e shortage Ia
rs $50. asaasaa one