South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-01-16
REGISTRATION OF
AUTOMOBILES IN
Big INCREASE
Report Compiled by Goodrich
Rubber Co. Shows Many
Motor Vehicles.

AKRON. o., Jan. 15.-Motor We
.hicle registrations for the past year
obtained from the various states by
the B. +. Goodrich Rubber Co. show
there are now 9.274.92O passenger
cars and trucks in use throughout
the United Statcs-one for every
lis persons. This IS an increase
of l,670,904. or 21.9 percent, over
Dec. 81. 1919, when there were T.
6O4, Gle motor vehicles registered
The gain during the past year was
greater than that OF any previous
year aEc is considered exceptionally
remarkable by officials Of the auto
motive industry IN view OF the ad-
verse business conditions throughout
the country during the last part OF
1920. The largest previous gain was
LAST, 399 in 1919.
Every state in the union showed a
gain during the year. Virginia lead
ing with 51.1 percent and Tennessee
last with Ia percent. The majority
OF states showed increases ranging
from - TO "a percent. In a general
way the figures show agricultural
states made better gains than indus
trial states.
Race for Supremacy.
Ohio for supremacy in the number
of motor vehicles has again turned
I'm New YOrk's favor. The mid-year
registrations last SKINNER showed
Ohio leading by 81 600 cars and il
was thought IL would maintain its
lead for the entire year. Thousands
OF New York owners registered lat
ar. however. and the final fig1r- 90
showed New York with 692,17z and
Ohio with $4,000.
Pennsylvania strengthened its hoid
on third place. advancing from 1872
III 10 5S4.1S4, while Illinois, its
closest rival. increased from numer-
iClll gain this year as the other lead
ers. IL still has fifth place firmly
secured with 55O.69O.
Iowa again managed 10 win out in
its tri-cornered race for sixth place
with Texas and Michigan. Last year,
Iowa had 36S,079. Texas 331.310 and
Michigan and Texas Crept uD a little,
the final figures giving Iowa 437.265.
Texas 42t,93s. and Michigan 1880.
Which state will be ahead next year
~ a question.
Nevada IS stu badly mfred IN the
cellar position. having only 1906,
as compared with 9.G05 q year ago.
Delaware ia but one stride ahead.
however, with 1850. New Mexico
and Wyoming are the only other
states with less than 10000. New
Mexico having 22,040 and Wyoming
-3,924.
An analysis of the registra tons by
states show that eight have more
automobiles within their individual
confines Than the entire continent
OF Europe These States-New York.
Ohio. Pennsylvania. Illinois. CALI
fornia. Iowa, Texas. and Michigan
have a combined regist ration Of +
Z95.5St. more than 40 percent Of ali
the cars registered in the country.
Four new states entered the llsr
OF those having 100000 or more
cars. They We're Virginia. Kentucky
Maryland. and OREGON. or these.
Virginia showed the greatest in
crease. having advanced from o.
100 20 1875, q sain or Sill per
cent
Comparison OF regisrr ration figures
with population figures OF the 1920
census. shows that there is now one
motor vehicle for every lis persons
in rle country. as compared with
che for every 1879 persons a year
ago. II the number OF autos con-
t-uues 90 increase ar the presen'
rate. there VIII be one car from every
family five Years from now.
Iowa Loses Honor.
Iowa 900 longer can claim the hor-
or 90 having more autos accordiuc
go population than any other state.
No has dropped 90 fourth place. Ne
arlska. s. Dakota and California
having jumped ahead. Nebraska,
tle present leader has one car for
every 80 persons. s.. Dakota one FOR
Ievery co. and California one for