Evening star., 1926-12-26
MOTORING
BY WILLIAM ULLMAN.
road hog about the only the ha
to keepc cons out o the
N YEW modes in automobiles. and
M not prosperity alone, boosts
| automobile production. Lack
BY WILLIAM ULLMAN.

saturation, slows down production.
This is the latest idea that has
been hurled into the arena where at
tempts are made TO explain the ups
sand downs of the automobile indus
try.
There are those who believe, and
who offer numerous arguments to
prove their point. that the high level
of production maintained by the au-
tomobile industry. during 1925 and
1926 largely is the result of the popu-
larity of the closed cars. not alto
gether the result of general pros
perity. although they admit this has
had a decidedly advantageous effect
These same analysts believe that the
automobile industry can expect to
eniov at least another year of high
production without the introductio
of any new mode. After this, they
argue, a new type will be essential it
production is to remain high, re-
eardless OF general conditions.
At the end of another II months,
so the prediction runs. the motor
ing public will be thoroughly sold
on the idea that neither closed nor
open car is quite the ideal. Then
will dawn the era Of a new mode IN
cars.
This new fashion will be based
upon the development of the combi-
nation car. or the convertible car as
il sometimes is called.
Evidences OF this already are on
the automotive counter. but IT Will
take at least a year tor the pubic
to sense the new need. and at least
that long again for the nanutac-
turers to get on the new basis.
It will be necessary for the manu-
facturers to learn how to make
combination car to sell for the same
price as their present models. just
as thev learned how to build the
closed car for even less money than
the open one, SO they will have to
develop plans for bringing the COM
bination car TO the proper price
level for wide popularity.
It can be done. The automobile
industry has been able to do any
thing. given reasonable time. One
reason for its success in this con-
nection has been the publics de-
mand. What the public wants, 1t
eventually gets. =
No material progress was being.
made in production during the years
1919, 1920 and 1921. 1t was generally
believed at the time that America
was lust emerging from the war.
period and had no money TO invest
IN cars. But the wholesale value of
the 100000 cars sold in 1870 was
slightly over .S00,0O0.000. The s.
100000 cars sold in 1925 were. vai-
ued at. only two and one-half b,l-
lions. The public spent over Si9,-
10000 more for excise taxes Oh cars
in 1920 than in 1925: In 1919, the
average purchase of tires for re-
placement amounted to So per car
as against $54 per car in 1925.
@** 81 .za1usF.I
Apparently the public had plenty.
of money to spend OH motor cars IN
1920 when production was not gam
ing headway and when. as matter
az fact, it was on the eve of cur
tailment which came in 1921. when
only a million and a half cars were
turned out. ~
Why was production stagnant at
that time!
Why did it gain SO strikingly in
1928?
Why did it reach record-breaklng
levels in f925?
Whv has it not fallen off in 1870!
Why will 1927 be another banner
=
Why will 1928 raise production to
undreamed-of levels?
The student of automobile modes
has ready answers for all OF these
questions. :. ,o,,
Fewer persons bought cars in lezl
because too many observed mo-
torists shivering, in. their open cars
In cold weather and preferred to SIT.
by7 the hreside or.ride via, rail II
they had to travel at ak :--.,s. =
True, there was less business and
activity. Manufacturers could not
make enough cars to warrant low
prices. But it all goes back to the
fact that on too many days in the
wear the average automobile had
no strong appeal to the comfort
lover.
In 1928 the closed car had de-
veioped to a point where 1T was
mark of distinction and prosperity
The price was net prohibitive. It's
comfort was revelation. Ameri-
cans like whatever their more sue
cessfui comrades possess. so produc-
tion gained steadily. The automo-
bile offered new appeal
**ka
The surprisingly high levels of
production; in 1925 Wvere reached be-
cause the industry had succeeded IN
developing the closed car to point
where it could be produced within
the means of any well managed
family. The closed car became in
disncnsable. Persons without them
were at a disadvatage. No Amer'-
can can see his neighbor enjoying
an advantage that he does not want
the same thing for himself.
Production did not go to smash
this wear because manufacturers
were wise enough to sell tair share
of the public on the idea that mere
ownership of a closed car was sutfl. :.
Gent neither from the standpoint OF
transportation and recreation nor
distinctive enough as possession.
The open car staged a marvellous
comeback this year and the trend
seems most likely to extend through
1927. ,o,-
To help boost production in 1917
the idea of greater DISTINCTION IN
closed cars everywhere will be IN
evidence. One must have a closed
car with some distinction. 1t must
blaze with a color that you don't see