New-York tribune., 1922-09-30
Demand for Autos
Tapering Off With
Winters Approach
Heavy Flow of Business Fron,
Farm Sections Fails to-
Materialize; Increased
Sales Efforts i'm Cities

DETROIT, Sept. 2s.-- Remand for
automobiles is tapering oN gradually
with the approach of winter. Factory
schedules are being gradually reduced
TO correspond with the lessened busi-
ness in the retail sales establishments.
Since the beginning Of September pro-
duction schedules in practically all
plants have been reduced from TO 80
Per cent, ind further reductions may
be looked for in October.
Without heavy fow Of business
from farm sections 1t was to be ex-
pected that fall and winter manufnc-
turing operations would be reduced, and
farm buying is only approximating 25
TO 30 per cent Of earlier estimates.
Factory sales managers say the farmer
is not buying yet, and it is generally
conceded that the bulk of business
from this source will not come through
until early in 1928. Failure cf the
farmer to develop as a heavy buyer
this fall is declared to be the result
of poor prices for farm produce.
In view of existing circumstances
factory sales officials are bending their
efforts toward keeping sales in the
cities and industrial centers at the
largest point possible. Practically all
of the business of the year has been
confined to the North Atlantic and
Great Lakes districts and on the Pa
cific Coast, and further intensive ef-
forts will be made in these sections to
tide over until the farmer gets into
the market.
Manufacturers Of Iow-priced cars are
not as severely hit in the farm regions
as are the middle-priced car makers.
1t was expected that low farm prices
would favor the low-priced car maker
and this appears to be the case. Ford
Motor Company declares business
In the grain and corn sections of the
country is on a par with the business
from these sections throughout the
year and that orders from all parts
of the country continue to exceed pro
duction possibilities Resumption Of
work in the Ford factories has practi-
cally wiped out unemployment in the
Detroit district, but curtailment OF
schedules in many other plants means
that many men are on part time en-
ployment and some are out Of work
This applies principally to unskilled
workers, however, the skilled man be-
ing much in demand everywhere. Not
all the Ford men are back at work
but practically all will be back when
the factory reaches the maximum pro-
duction speed 1t is planning.
BUSINESS IN high-priced cars is run
ming close to the high marks Of the
earlier year. The four Detroit factor
les making cars Of this type are sold
ahead practically to the first Of the
year.
Truck makers are enjoying a good
sized business in lighter tonnage
vehicles. General business conditions
about the country favor the employ
ment of light delivery vehicles. Move
ment Of coal and the distribution Of Il
IN. small quantities as compared to
other years makes a special market
for light trucks. The general effect
of the coal strike upon the truck in
dustry has been to improve its tone.
but. the existing tie-ups in Iong-haul
freight is holding back trucking ac
terminals
Shipping facilities from factories to
dealers are poor. Notices are be-
ing. sent by many actovies to
dealers within 1000 miles Of the fac
tory that deliveries for the present must
be by drive-away, IS the supply of
freight cars is SO meagre that it must
be conserved for transcontinental shin
ments.