New-York tribune., 1922-01-08
Willys Praises
II. S. Bankers
For Their Aid
Thev Have Carried Industry
Through, Overland Of
ficial Says, Pointing to
rroad Scale Recovery
Dealers Stocks Lower
less Than Half tie Unsold
Cars on Hand Now Than
Year Ago. He Asserts

John \. Willys, president Of the
W;llys Overland Company has only
naise for the country's bankers be-
cause Of the assistance they have rem
dered the automotive industry in the
last twelve months. These bankers
have carried the industry through q
irving period, and in so doing enabled
the world TO look to America for the
hest In automotive transport this year,
he says.
An increase of 100000 in the number
of cars rerlaced by owners last year
over the 100000 which it was expected
would be replaced. is cited by Mr..
WHY'S as the best indication Of the cx
tent Of the industrial recovery lie
goes on to say:
"The courage and resourcefulncss
Of Americas bankers and business men
in sustaining the motor car industry
deserve the admiration of every Amer
ican. When 1t is remembered that the
automobile industry to-day provides
employment for the heads Of very
nearly one million American families,
rs we'll as taking large shares Of the
production Of such allied industries as
the leather. cotton, textiles, etc, one
may judge the part it plays in advanc-
ing Anne rica's prosperity and the stand
ard OF living OF Americas citizens.
Business as Usual"
so we'll has the automobile trade
met the difficulties of readjustment
during 1921 that the world to-day can
continue to look to America for the
best in automotive transport. More
over, because the automotive industry
Is the faithful barometer of all bust
ness. it can now be said with reason
able confidence that 1922 will approach
business as usual This year promises
to be one of normal production"
1t is through a study Of all classes
Of the motor buying public that one
best obtains basis for discussing the
Nobable automobile sales in 1929. Mr..
WHY'S says.
The opening of 1922 sees dealers
socks lower than they were "a year
ago. There are several explanations
for this, according to Mr. Willys.
shat following the first price cuts in
automobiles in September, 1920, manu-
facturers did their utmost to stabilize
the market for at least the first half of
1921. AS result many OF the most
popular cars offered to the public in
1921 carried a price guaranty up to
June l. This was protection to the
public and to the dealer. but it re-
suited in slowing OF sales because
the belief gained circulation that cars
should not be bought until after
June l.
Most Sales After June !
1.-THE record for 1921 shows that the
great bulk of sales came after June |
although in any normal year the major
ity Of sales are made in the frst six
months of the year. The rush of bust
ness experienced by the more popular
cars in the latter part % the year was
surprising to many Willys- Overland
had big business in September and
larger business in October. October
was the largest October in point of
sales and receipts in the history of the
company. November also made rec
ord and the company failed to fill all
orders for Decemher delivery.
This rush of business has depleted
dealers stocks Our figures show that
We have less than half the number of
ursold cars in dealers hands that we
had year ago.
without going into any detailed dis
'usson Of the history Of automobile
'aes and how conclusions may be
frawn from them, would point out
mat motor car owners in the past two
years have not replaced worn cars
with new ones at the same rate that
they have in previous years. 1t is true
that they had better automobiles and
that through better service methods
and better understs nding of automo-
Bile mechanics owners have taken bet
Ter care Of their machines.
But there IS great replacement
trade that normally should have been
felt in 1921 that will be evident this
year. Moreover, prices have been re-
adjusted. The new series Overland at
sos5 sells at the lowest price for which
an Overland ever sold. And most cars
are to-day at right price Buying
power is felt on every hand right now
IN more pronounced form than in
months past"