Evening star., 1925-08-13
EXPANSION IN VIEW
IN AUTO INDUSTRY
Manufacturers Not Worrying
Over Business Conditions.
Outlook Satisfactory.
BY J. c. ROYLE.
,ecial Dispatch 10 The Star

Special Dispatch 10 The Star.
NEW YORK, August I3.--Automo-
bile manufacturers, instead of worry
ing over a possible saturation point,
are preparing to expand their plants
in many instances.
There is nothing il. general condi-
tions throughout the country, so far
a IS | can see, to warrant anxiety with
reference to continued satisfactory
business" c. w. Nash. president of
the Nash Motors. said today. Industry
in general shoulL proceed in a prosper
Gus manner. The outlook for our COM
pany in particular is more favorable
than ever before. Orders on hand are
greatly in excess of our ability 10
ship"
This statement accompanied an
nouncement that new buildings would
be added to the plant layout at Keno
sha. More factory sites are in de-
lnand in Lansing than ever before in
The city's history, and 6s per cent of
the industries there are connected with
the automobile industry August motor
car sales are proceeding at an unpre-
cedented rate for this time of year
This fact is substantiated by dis.
patches received today from Atlanta
San Francisco. St. Paul. New OrIea ms
and other widely separated points.
Effort Made to Increase Sales.
Strenuous efforts 10 increase and
encourage those sales are being made,
not only through price reductions. but
through ease and cheapness with
which purchases can be financed The
spread of payments throughout the in
dustry has been increased nearly 20
per cent. The Ford Co. having been
a pioneer in the sale of pleasure cars
on partial-payment plan, has turned
its attention TO the aiding of farmers
TO purchase tractors.
The new nancing plan for the agri-
culturists has been developed by the
Motor Acceptance Corporation of Mil
waukee, which handles purchase of
Fordson tractors and other farm equip
ment. Under the scheme. "A l3 per
cent finance charge is added TO the
factory price of Fordson tractor. The
farmer pays % per cent cash plus
freight and dealers delivery charge.
and the 70 per cent balance is split
into two equal payments. due Novem-
Der |. 1925, and November l. 1926.
Additional equipment. such as plows
and harrows. etc. can be bought on
the same terms. Ford officials say
they hope this will materially aid in
motoriZing many American farms.
Money Available for Financing.
In connection with the financing of
automobiles il is to be noted that
money rates are fairly low. and while
borrowing rates may be expected 10
increase. il is believed bankers will
continue reasonably free in extending
accommodations. Announcement was
made today that the Ford Company
would bring out = II ton truck about
January l at slightly less than 81 900
for the chassis, or 81 200 equipped with
a stake body. A fleet of these trucks
has been operated experimentally for
some time by a concern which handles
some of the Ford supplies.
Despite the fact there were 1886, 100
new passenger automobiles made in
the last half year, dealers stocks are
remarkably light. and. on the whole
manufacturers are carrying only nor
NAL stocks. Some of the more promi
nent producers are far behind deliv-
cries The Cadillac factory is turning
out 100 cars a day and is expected to
increase this to 135. Chrysler is pro
ducing 500 cars a day and Dodge
Brothers about l,100.
Although sales were less than 100
900 larger in the last six months than
in the corresponding period of 1924,
profits for most Of the leading com
panies showed substantial increases,
and some producers hung up new high
records for all time
This betterment extended to the re
tail dealers.
Department Store i'm Auto Trade.
The Gilchrist Co. one of Boston =
large department stores. has opened
q department for the distribution of
two we'll known makes of automobiles
1t is believed this is the first depart
ment store to engage in retail mer-
chandising of motor cars as we'll as ac-
Cessories. Buses are being turned
out in record volume, and a total pro
duction of at least $4,000 for the year
now is indicated