The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-07-17
INDUSTRY
SLACKENS CAR
PRODUCTION
Summer Falling OFF Noted, But
Manufacturers Are Hopeful
For Future.
By MARSHALL b. WALKER.
Cosmopolitan News Service.

Cosmopolitan News Service.
DETROIT, July 17.-Manufactur'
ers may make a few less automo'
biles this month than last, but they
are anything but pessimistic over
the prospect which the last SIX
months of 1923 hold for the auto
mobile industry.
Only four of eleven companies
whose figures are available expect
20 produce fewer cars and trucks
this month than in June. Two ex'
pect to increase output and five
including Ford, plan a July out
put at least equal to June.
Anticipated net decrease for July
compared with June is about 7.5OC
cars, or less than per cent OF
the total June production of these
companies.
Cadillac Doing Well.
Cadillac territorial representatives
gathered here for a periodical con-
terence, voiced the sentiment OF
practically all men in the industry
when they unanimously reported
summer business well sustained AID
Indications for the fall excellent.
Ford Is plunging into new records
constantly and expects to build l.
SOC, 900 cars and trucks for domestic
use alone by the end of the year
Already he has passed the million
mark and there is no sign of let
up. If he should continue, even at
the present rate, he will not reach
his goal but pass the two million
figure by December 81.
Ford's figures for the year 80 far
~ No. dnVoA@fiN and
foreign, 941,245; Canada, ASST
cars, 3,512.
June was the biggest month in
the REQ Motor Car Company's his
tory, r. C. Rueschaw, sales manager,
reported. Shipments were SO per
cent greater this year than last
June and there Is indication Of ex-
cellent future business.
Past Achievements.
While the auto industry these
days is always looking ahead with
out attempting to live on past
laurels, because of the superrecoro
of the last six months, new facts OF
particular interest concerning the
past achievements are always com
ing up.
Eleven auto firms which built
practically seven-eighths of the 2,
O29 900 cars and trucks made dur
ing the last six months. increased
their output frem approximately II
per cent to 2S5 per cent as com
pared with the corresponding period
of 1922. Among these great pro
ducers were Buick, Dodge, Ford
General Motors, Hudson Essex
Hupp, Lincoln, Packard, Paige
Jewett, REQ, Rickenbacker.
And who are the buyers of al
these cars, one might ask. Figures
compiled by one well-known auto
firm manufacturing a medium-pricet
car, tell part of the story.
Working Men Buy Cars.
The working men are the great
est buyers of automobiles today
this company reports, their figures
showing that men earning a daily
wage purchased 1875 per cent o.
their output, and merchants fol
took 2,8 per cent, while bankers
who may lead in purchasing highes
priced cars, bought only 8 pei
cent of the moderate priced ones
Forthcoming six months state
ment of Peerless will show sales
and earnings equal to those fol-
the entire twelve months of 1929
and the company recently estab
1ished the stock on a regular
per cent basis.
Rumors of a resumption Of Con
tinental dividends have been preva
lent for some time. IT is know
that the company is in a position
to declare the same, but officers, i
is reported, are following a con
servative plan and are not inclined
to resume dividends until they car
be maintained permanently.
Durant has announced Construc
ton Of two large additions to hi:
Lansing factory. which will increase
the production from 400 to $50 carr
a day. The cost Is estimated a
$35O,000.