The Washington times., 1923-10-16
FURTHER GUT IN
AUTO PRICES
PROBABLE
Big Production and New Mod
els Cause 0versuppIy in
Used Car Market.
By MARSHALL b. WALKER,
Cosmopolitan News Service.

COSMOPOLITAN News Service.
DETROIT, Mich. Oct. 16.-Re.
cent introduction Of many new
models SO early in the season is
having its effects in motordom to-
day. Those companies which,
brought out new lines are straining
under full capacity production to
meet the heavy demand and there
is serious oversupply Of used cars.
Buyers as a rule are interested
in the latest designs and orders for
these new makes have increased to
the detriment Of the used car
dealers who are finding their stocks
piling up. AS a result those buyers
who are not particular may. with
reason, expect TO be able to get a
first class used car at heretofore
undreamed Of prizes.
New Cars Cheap.
But because makers Of the cheaper
autos have brought out new lines,
and in some instances have lowered
prices, it is possible to get latest
models so reasonable that even the
man with" little money can have
one.
Conditions today in. the auto in
dustry have given rise. to all sorts
Of speculation, and rumors, chief
Of which is a story spread this week
that manufacturers were preparing
for the most intensive competitive
war in the history Of auto manu-.
facture, with companies fighting for
INMf
next year running to the 5000 900
mark. Ford, Of course, Is to set
the pace, If this comes true.
It is a fact that the 1900, 900
figure already has been passed this
year and January 1 will see produc-
ton around 100000. And Ford,
let it be known, will make nearly
two million cars this year. He has
just finished building 100000 in
seven days less than three months
and has about 100000 to build to
complete his nine nillionth motor
by December 81. Motor No. $500.
600 was turned out October 4.
Tremendous Production Coming.
An imaginative writer this week
| stated that Ford will make 1000, 900
cars from October / this year to
March 81, 1924. That would mean
half a million cars a month or
100000 all next year, figure wild
beyond all dreams.
But there is no doubt Ford will
go into tremendous production in
1924. He is increasing his oquip-
ment and expanding his plants
wherever possible, as right now he
has about reached capacity.
| Fords' SO 200, 900 advertising CAM
pafgn, too, will have its eject next
year. The firm which will handle
this has added nine new experts to
its staff and moved into larger
quarters because. of the big con-
tract, it's was announced this week.
Other auto companies, which have
felt the effect of this falls excep-
tional prosperity and are having the
biggest October business in history
are Buick, REQ, Odds. Hupp, Over
land. Oakland, and Chevrolet. Many
Of the other plants are tapering
off production but reports this
October will exceed October. 1922.
This autumnal decline in some
companies is decreasing employ
ment slightly. latest figures in De-
troit showing a drop Of 519 en-
ployed in the week.
New Lines Announced.
First formal announcement Of the
new Sterling Knight line of cars,
reduction in Locomobile prices and
new bort line were features in
the industry during the past week.
Important announcements are ex-
pected soon from the Hudson-Essex
Company, Detroit, and the Moon
Motor Car Company, of st. Louis.
Production Of Liberty SKIES in the
plant recently purchased by the
| Columbia Motor Company is being
increased.
Figures compiled here by an auto
insurance company, which has risks
on 1000 autos, show that 95 per
cent of the insured cars stolen and
not recovered have been enclosed
cars.
Continental Motors corporation
production of motors this year will
far exceed any figure in the COM
pany's history, according to w. r.
Angel, vice president, who predicts
! double output in 1924.