The Washington times., 1917-04-21
MOTOR EXPORTS
1915 SHOW INCREASE
Largest Advance in Pleasure
Cars and Farm Tractors.
Trucks Show Falling OFF.

| cApOrtS OF the products OF the
American motor vehicle and allied
industries during the year of 1916
| showed small increase over the
preceding twelve months, according
to an article in, the Power Wagon.
The largest advance appeared in
pleasure cars, tires, farm tractors and
4 motor vehicle parts. There was a
sharp falling off in the trade in mo-
tor trucks, due largely to the fact
that the orders of foreign govern
ments for military machines have
practically ceased.
+ Soon after the outbreak OF the Eu-
ropean war large orders for motor
wagons for military purposes were
placed with American firms, but IT
was some time before they were able
to meet the demand. Thus, while
the exports OF motor trucks in Au-
gust. 1914, amounted to only sixty
six machines, the number grew stead
lily until 1t reached 1,219 in December
OF that year. In five different months
of 1915 the exports exceeded 1900
machines monthly and only in Feb
ruary 1917 has the same mark since
been reached. The largest shipment
was made in July, 1915, when 2,990
lEuChb "CTo Sent Dui-
ing the last months OF 1916 many OF
the machines exported were sold for
commercial purposes. In all 45,077
motor trucks, valued at 1921 OBS. $40
have ben exported since August, 1914.
Pleasure Car Exports.
The exports Of pleasure cars show a
similar condition. In August. 1914. only
3S5 pleasure cars were exported. while
by December OF that year the number
had grown to 1.297. BY May. 1915. the
numbsr had reached 4.S21. but because
Of a ban on pleasure car driving in some
OF the countries at war and the small
amount of fuel allowed owners OF such
machines. exports fell to- Ass in last
September. the lowest figure since the
previous October The average value
has likewise fallen from 1886 in 1915 to
s766 In 1916. over 100000 pleasure cars.
worth $S6, ,27 .$27, have been exported in
less than three years.
The growth in the expectation OF farm
tractors has been remarkable. During
the last FIVE months OF 1914 only 1H
tractors were sent abroad: in 1915 the
number had reached 7Ss. and in 1916 the
number was 4,224. Their value rose from
s, ,5sS. .I64 IN 1915 to s6.647.SsS in 1916.
Motor Engines and Tires.
In 1915 motor vehicle engines to the
number Of 1852. worth s2,3S3.O71. were
exported, while in 1916 the number
reached 2Oa5S and their value S,3s3.1T.
The exports Of tires increased in similar
manner from 81 1.41s.ss2 in 1915 to. $15.-
zl,s43 in 1916. The value OF exports Of
motor vehicle parts, other than engines
and tires, in 1915 was sl6,s70.450. and in |
1916 1t was s2317.M
During 1915 exports OF gasolene
amounted to 112, 1922 929 gallons, val |
ued at SI3.164.159; in 1915 the CORE
spending figures were 165 .90s, ,247 gal
Ions and S33,614.949. The records in
dicate an astonishing increase in price |
from los cents per gallon in 1915 to
20e cents in 1915.
The exports of horses and mules are |
Of interest because of their effect on
draft animal values in this country
and their consequent influence on mo-
tor wagon sales. In 1915 the number
of horses exported was 443,014. and OF
mules 120. 0.T06 In 1915 the former had
decreased to 2s7, ,443 and the latter had
risen to I34.461 More than ] 900, 900
draft animals have been exported
since the beginning OF the European
war.
United Kingdom Best Customer.
The United Kingdom has been our
best customer. 1t has taken 35,2o6 OF
the 153. 30 motor vehicles of all kinds
exported. while Canada has come sec
ond with 1886. France purchased
16.555 and Australia 1888. Asia took
10.5l5 machines, and OF these 456S
went to British East India in 1915
Argentina and Chile proved to be the
largest buyers in South America, to
which 2,542 motor vehicles have been
exported since August, 1914. Tires
sent to Europe have been bought by
two countries:\ the United Kingdom,
which has taken $1,000. .s24 worth,
and Russia which has taken tires
worth ST35.919 (all in 1919. Canada
and Cuba have been big buyers, the
former taking s2.229. .426 worth and
the latter H,I73.453 worth.
The needs Of the nations Of Europe
are well indicated by the figures for
farm tractors, motor vehicle engines.
and other parts. More attention is be- |
ing given to the economic require |
ments of the people. with the result |
that machinery OF all kinds for aEri- |
cultural purposes and motor vehicle |
parts for assembly into complete ma
chimes abroad show substantial gains. |