Evening star., 1924-02-04
BIC CHICAGO SHOW
ST|RS AUTO SALES
Dealers Predict Business
May Even Exceed Enor-
nous Figures of 1923.
BY j. c. ROYLE.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
NEW YORK, February 4.-ENecu-
tives of the larger automobile COM
panieS are returning to their factories
from the Chicago show with their op-
timism increased as to the prospect for
sales this year The number of cars
disposed of at Chicago was heavy, and
The interest manifested by dealers was
impressive.
One leading producer said today the
ranks of those who have predicted that
1924 sales would not equal those of
last year were being deserted. Ford,
chevrolet and Overland sales in Janu-
AIRY exceeded expectations. These three
companies expect between them to turn
out four million cars before next New
Year, and it is now estimated the re-
manning manufacturers will turn out
at least an additional million. This
would be an increase of 20 per cent
last month exceeded 10000 cars, Chev-
rolet disposed of 10000 and Overland
10000.
Last Years Sales Enormous.
Chevrolet sold 4S3,310 cars last
year. and the main factory, at Flint;
The Detroit plants, where forgings,
gears, aXles and differentials are
city. and the transmission factory. at
Toledo. have capacity for production
this year of from 100000 to 100000
cars. The Fisher Body Company has
or will have plants at all the Chew
rolet assembly PLANTS at Flint. st.
Louis, GAINESVILLE. Tarrytown, Buffalo,
cincinnati and Oakland for building
closed cars.
The Olds factory at Lansing re-
corded gain of 400 per cent in jan
uary. as compared with the first
month of 1928. Over 5000 cars Wire
turned out. as compared with 1904
last year. The increase in the sale
of closed cars still continues to as
tontsh even the men in the trade. For
the last two months the closed mod
ais sold constituted somewhere be-
tween 80 and 40 per cent of the total.
Expects Sales to Hold Up. /
c. s. Mott, director and vice presi-
,iay that motor sales would be at
least as high as those of 1923. but
added that prices might go higher.
Recent advances in the prices of
tires, steel and aluminium. he said
We're adding to production costs.
steel interests report q quickenine
or orders, due largely to the pur-
chases of the automobile manufac-
turers. President Bartol of the Otis
steer company of Cleveland, the
n
SiVely by motor manufacturers. said
today the plant of his company was
operating as near capacity as possi-
pie. and that indications for good
business, at least for the next six
months were excellent.
Tire Output Unchanged.
The production of tires at Akron
SHOWS niue change from the sched-
uleS put into effect in December. but
practically every plant is making
progress In the reduction of over
head costs. The net gain of one
company through economies in sew
eral departments has been of yery
desirable proportions. It is under.
stood the Goodyear company has
been able to effect a reduction of ex-
pense In its accounting department.,
since the close of the Chicago show
&c mas become known that another
strong effort was made to do away
with the two great annual auto
shows at New York and Chicago, and
substitute only dealer shows, with a
permanent exhibit at Detroit or
Cleveland.
The expense of the present show
was the chief argument brought for
ward, but not sufficient sentiment
was aroused to assure the change.
The effect of the automobile activi-
~ Is being> felt widely in other in
dustries. Five large mills at La
Grange, Ga, were forced to go on
a Neutrality-suspicious. production sched-
ule today to fill orders for fabric
used in seats and tops.
New Pacific Steamer Service,
The United Fruit Company, the
fleetS OF which have been big factor
In the development of trade between
this country and Central and South
America, is preparing to institute a
regular steamship service between
Pacific coast ports and South Ameri-
can trade centerS. This company
heretofore has confined it's activities
to the Atlantic coast ports. Officials
OF the company now are in San Fran
cisco conducting negotiations for in
augllratiup the Saryite