Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-07-01
HOPE AUTO MODELS
WILL BOOST SALES
Dealers Bring Out New Cars.
Hot Weather HeIps-Used
Machines Increase.
BY j. c. ROYLE.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
NEW YORK, July IA number OF
new model automobiles made their
first public appearance today. Other
manufacturers will follow this lead
at intervals throughout the month In
an effort to stimulate sales. The
general trend of the new designs,
however, is not secret. At least six
or more manufacturers are prepared
to put out straight eight-cylinder
models, and there is evidence that
these will be equipped in good many
cases with balloon tires and improved
brakes of various mechanical con-
struction, as standard equipment.
1t is understood that the mechan-
of the straight Fights at first have
been overcome. One Of these was the
difficulty in adequate carburetton.
Until the readjustment of manifolds
two end cylinders In some cases were
starved" of gas while the six mid
die cylinders were being given full
supply.
Government Tests Afa Makers.
This had been noticed earlier in the
racing models on some of which diff
ffculty was met by adding carburetors
The trend toward the smaE-bore.
high compression cylinders in the
racing models Is fast making its way
into the p1easure-car field. This ten
dencS has been Increased by the tests
made by the government bureau OF
standards, which proved beyond ques-
ton that the general efficiency Of a
gasoline engine could be materially
increased by pushing UP the COM
preston ratio. The tests also proved,
however, that the higher compression
resulted in an added tendency to pre-
ignition and defamation. neceSsitat-
ton engine tests have been of great
assistance in establishing these facts.
Weather Helps Sales.
The warmer weather recently has
been an undoubted stimulus to sales,
which showed marked increase last
month. These sales aggregated be-
tween 230,750,000 and $231. 080, 900 for
the principal makes, a drop OF less
than per cent compared with June,
1923. Production continued to de-
cline, showing a fall OF more than Is
per cent compared with the previous
month and about go per cent down
from the level Of the corresponding
trend was upward.
The normal ratio between cars in
stock and cars moving to consumers
has not yet been attained, but is
The manufacturers of parts have felt
the recession in production perhaps
more severely than any one indi-
vidual automobile company, since the
majority of them sell to more than
one manufactured. Truck manufac-
turers and sales have not suffered
to the same extent as pleasure cars
and the demand for commercial We
hicles continues excellent.
Used Car supply Grows.
Used cars on hand are about II
per cent more numerous than in May
and this itself is an indication Of
greater sales activity, since the ma
jority of these machines were taken
in as part payment on new cars.
+ 1t takes a brave man to compete
with Henry Ford, but every once In
a while some one tries it. Manufac-
turers are watching closely the ac-
~tivities of Wisconsin company
which has been organized to sell a
1t is claimed this product has
sssryt adai;o on f Il resd a 1
sanother.' but they are NOT felxxins
gtheir. vigilance since every man IN
.the business. is interested to know
who first will break In on the Ford
business.
Ford Competitors Raise Fr4ees.
Heretofore. competitors have either
gone out of business or turned to
higher prices which placed them out
side the Ford field. This was the
case with the Gray Motor Company
and the Star car brought out by the
Durant concern. The policy Of high
err prices by these companies 10 as
serted to have brought considerable
success with it, as the trade reports each
lis satisfied with the business being
done 1T the higher range. The new
competitor of the f1ivver, to be made
by the Schuler Motor Car Company. 1t
M nMuounced; wfffff have nfngteen
Horsepower motor, electric lights and
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