The Washington herald., 1919-03-30
Europe's New Cars

Within the next few months we are
going to see in this country a number
of new cars especially designed by
the manufacturers of France, England
and Italy to capture a share of the
American market. Now there has been
some i'll considered talk recently in
regard to the possibility OF the Euro
pean manufacturers producing auto
mobiles on the sort of quantity basis
that We do in this country and ac-
tually making an attempt TO capture
a considerable part of our home mark
ct. In spite of the fact that many
of the European makers have expand
ed their plants to limits that they
Eevar dreamed OF before the war there
Is not the slightest possibility of their
ever competing with US at. home for
our own markets. One British COM
pany has announced a yearly produc-
ton of 5000. which is many times any
production ever thought of in Eu-
rope before the war. but compared
with the tremendous output OF our
leading companies it is a drop in the
bucket.
Nevertheless this European invasion
owners for other reasons. The for
eign cars that will be sold here will
be in the higher price classes and there
is no question that within certain def
mite limits they will enjoy ready
sale There are people who prefer
anything imported. whether 1t is a
motor car or a pocket handkerchief.
But for the average man the interest
in the coming foreign invasion lies in
the fact that American design has al
ways been very ready to adopt Euro
pean ideas, so that we may look to
see American cars of tomorrow en-
bodying the really valuable features or
the foreign cars that will be with us
very shortly. Let US examine briefly
the French, British and Italian cars
that have been announced as pros
pective bidders for American sales.
France first. and the only definite
announcement that has come from
our allied land is in regard to the DE
Dion Bouton line. This comprises two
classes, a light and heavier model.
Each Of these models may be had
with a four or an eight cylinder en-
gine, making practically four distinct
models in the line. with the numerous
variations of body styles and excel
lent workmanship for which the
French industry has always been
noted.
No announcement has as yet
been made in regard to De Dion
prices in this country, but the cars
will certainly not be in the cheap
OF medium price classes. No def
mite announcements have been made
by the other French companies. but
the Renault organization. with its
tremendous factories and huge force
of skilled wOrkmen which turned
cut thousands of whippet tanks dur
ing the war. is known to be cast
ing longing eyes at the rich Amer
lean market. Peugeot is another
French company that is going to
make a strong bid for American
patronage. 1t is possible that the
I'euEeOt passenger cars will carry
the wront wheel brakes which have
been used on some of the racing
cars OF this concern and which it
was announced would be placed on
the commercial productions of the
company. DelaCe is also known
to be getting ready for a try at
the American market and this car
also may embOdy front whel brakes.
This then will be one definite me-
Chanical innovation that may pos
sibly exert an influence on future
American design.
Many of the big English companies
have frankly announced their inten-
ton of making bid for American
favor. Rolls-ROyce. of course, will
simply pick UP where 1t left off when
II was called upon for airplsne pro-
duction. The Rolls has a definite posi-
tion in the American field among the
very wealthiest buyers. naturally since
one of these cars stands the purchaser
in somewhere in the neighborhoOd of
$4,000. Rolls-Royce has not announc-
ed any change in design, and it is
probable none is contemplated. The