Evening star., 1925-12-18
new MERGERS SEEN
IN MOTOR FIELD
Spirited Competition Also
Certain to Continue Dur
ing 1925 Season.
BY j. c. ROYLE.
Special Dispatch to The star.

Special Dispatch to The Star
NEW YORK, December 1s.-The
automobile industry in 1926 will be
In fewer hands, with competition keen
and makers with small stacks of
chips gradually retiring from the
game. That is the conclusion drawn
by automobile men now here, pre-
pairing for the automobile show. They
base their conclusions on the esti-
mates that the cut in prices on Dodge
cars would range from $50 to 5000
on recent reports of mergers and on
prospective schedules of production
Executives of companies going in
for quantity production do not view
the Dodge cuts with particular alarm
One authority pointed out that Dodge
prices. with the exceptions of minor
adjustments last Fall, have remained
practically unchanged, while other
leading producers have made big re-
ductions In the last six months.
Changes Already Under Way.
Announcement that the control of
the F. B. Stearns Co. of Cleveland had
been purchased by John n. WHY'S and
associates indicates, the reviSions
which have been going on in the in
dustry. Mr.. WHY'S has not yet made
known his plans for the development
OF the Stearns Co., but 1t is understood
In Cleveland that operations will be
Increased. Some believe the plant will
be devoted largely to the manufacture
of the knight motors for use in the
higher-priced cars of the Willys-Over-
land Co. and the WHY'S taxicabs
WHY'S has materially increased the
taxicab department in recent years.
The Stearns Co. was founded in
1896, and the plant has been in CON
tinuous operation 27 years. The first
Stearns knight car was turned out in
1911. George w. Booker acquired
control of the company from Frank
B. Stearns in 1917, and It was from
Booker that WHY'S purchased control
The Grant. Templer and Rollin cars.
once made in Cleveland, have passed
out Of existence, the latter filing a
petition in bankruptcy a few weeks
ago.
Another Merger Hinted.
The Chandler and Cleveland com.
panieS are reported as planning to
merge. This would be natural move
since the two companies are controlled
by nearly the same interests, and it
was announced at the time the Cleve-
land Co. was formed that the consoli-
dation would be effected when the
time was propitious.
-hdiidSeHltHl VI the feeTleSS hOtOr
Car Co. has changed several times
since the car was first placed in the
field. At present the plant Is being
operated by Edward Verlinden and as
sociates, most Of whom are old men,
The Verlinden management is now
turning out a lighter six-cylinder car
to compete in that field.
Spirited Competition Seen.
1t Is certain that 1926 will see spirit
ed bidding for business in the low
priced field. About half dozen light
SKIES selling under 81 900 Will be intro
duced at the New York show. Presi-
dent Ross W. Judson of Continental
Motors said today his company had
completed negotiations with automo-
bile manufacturers which would in
crease Continental output, and that he
expected 1925 business to exceed that
OF this year. The demand for Hupp
skies is greatly ahead of present
capacity That company carried ST.
100000 worth of untitled orders over
into December, and expects to close
the year with sales Of 5000 eight
cylinder cars.
New models, lower prices, accom-
plished through quantity production;
lower motor taxes and lower income
taxes are expected by manufacturers
to further expand the market for cars
in the coming year. Higher tire prices
may be reflected in the prices of cars
to consumers in some lines, but other
economies are counted on to counter
balance these.
Copyright 1880