The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-02-17
CARS
To BE OUTPUT
THIS YEAR
Expert Enumerates Factors
Which Make for Success
Of Industry.
BY CHARLES CLIFTON,
President National Automobile Chamber
Of Commerce.

Il
President National Automobile Chamber
| Of Commerce.
| A certain section Of the Long
Island beaches on the Atlantic coast
is undergoing gradual process OF
growth. Every year the tides OF
the sea wash UP about an extra
foot OF land on the shores. Occa'
sionally a storm comes and washes
q part Of the increase away, but
the loss is soon replaced. The cause
Of this steady addition is believed
to be certain fundamental ocean
currents, which are destined TO
bring increase to that section stead
lily, conservatively and for an indefi-
mite period.
That strip Of beach may well be
compared to the automobile business
at the present time. Certain funda-
mental currents are. working Tor
the growth OF motor transportation,
piling up increased markets each
year, not sensationally, with some
seasonal variations, but surely and
inevitably.
Makes for Success.
/ AS the business comes into its
Itwenty.fourth year and gets more
mature perspective on its progress,
1t is able to see that among the
fundamental currents working for
| it's success are these:
Public demand for individual.
flexible transportation.
1.-The time-savtag value OF the
l. motor car and motor truck which
pays for their expense.
3-The fact that the prosperity
of the motor vehicle business Is an
aid to general prosperity.
/ 1.-The definite organization or
the national highway program
which has resulted in 10000 miles
Of new roads being built in 1922.
+ 5-The replacement market for
cars and trucks going out OF use
which should cali for about 1,8O0,-
600 motor vehicles In the coming
year.
6-Growing need for motor
transportation in foreign countries.
7-Improved engineering and
service stations which make the
modern car and truck a constantly
reliable means of transportation.
These forces are fundamental, and
they viii continue to pile up a sub
stantial demand for motor cars and
motors trucks as the years go on.
Predicts Big 1923 Production.
The year 1923 will be one Of steady
prosperity. The production should
be In the neighborhood of 100000
vehicles. This is the 1922 figure,
and the 1928 output may go 10 to
A 25 per cent ahead of it. On the
other hand, the 1922 total included
some motor vehicles which would
normally have been purchased in
1921 had general business conditions
been favorable.
The outloon for 1929 is good.
Farming conditions are reported to
be improved AS one-third of all
the cars are owned in rural Sec
tons, the recovery of the industry's
best customer should have favor
able effect on the business.
Another factor which should tend
to maintain the rate OF output In
the motor vehicle plants Is the fact
that automobiles are now being Of
fered to the public at the best
values on record.
Export Trade Expanding.
Motor vehicle exports in 1922
were about twice as large as in
1921. Cars were approximately
SO 900 in number and trucks 10000,
whereas in 1921 the corresponding
figures were SO.5O4 and 1904 re-
spectively.
For the coming year the outlook
in bright. OF considerable influence
win. be the flexible United States
tariff with it's provision for a
reciprocating automobile duty. Dis
examinations, according to which
American cars are made subject to
a higher duty than those Of q
competitor nation, will be dis
couraged, and American aurNnotive
trade by being assured OF this
equality Of treatment is certain to