Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-08-23
RECORD IN AUTO
PRODUCTION! SEEN
Increased Wealth, Better
Roads and TWo.Car Family
Trend Factors.
BY J. c. ROYLE.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

NEW YORK. August 23.-The auto
mobile industry this year promises
to establish a new production record.
Approximately 2.450,000 vehicles were
turned out in the first half year. In
past years approximately 48 per cent
of the years sales have been made
between January and June. If this
proves true in 1926. the years total
production should approach 5000, 900
units. exceeding the 1925 production
by $4,000.
Prof. Claire T.. Griffin Of the Uni
versity of Michigan School of Bust
ness Administration and a recognized
authority on the automotive industry.
estimates there will be 27000.000 auto
mobiles in the United States in 1880.
He sees no indication of the approach
Of the saturation point for a consid-
cradle time, figuring that an output
of approximately 100000 cars year
is necessary to replace those worn
out.
Increased Per Capita Wealth.
Other features of the situation on
which motor manufacturers in general
feel able to count are the increased
per capita wealth Of the country, the
widespread prosperity in nearly every
section. the two.car family trend and
the greatly increased mileage of good
roads. The closed car has proved a
vehicle of year-round necessity and
The seasonal jumps, once so dreaded,
have almost been eliminated by it's
popularity.
A survey of conditions among man.
ufacturers of automobile accessories
indicates that the builders of motor
cars are planning large scale opera
tons for the remainder of the year.
II don't know where all the auto
mobile business is coming FROM" said
E. j. Kulas. president Of the Otis Steel
Co. and Midland Steel Products Co..
large manufacturers Of automobile
frames. today. "Our Midland plants.
in Cleveland and Detroit, are running
ahead Of the 1925 rate. and I have
shortened the vacations of our key
men to meet the situation. 1t is i'm
possible to tell how long this will con-
tinue, but I am very optimistic at
present.
White Sees No Let.Up.
"The forecast heard some time ago
that there would be a business let-up
has not come true" said Walter c..
White, president of the White Motor
70. OF (ICNeldnO. mere mas Deen ITO
let-up in the third quarter. which is
more than half over. and 1t does not
look as if there would be one. Salts
factory conditions seem to exist in the
motor truck and motor bus indus
tries
With some of the leading manufac-
turers of motor cars increasing sched-
ules. business until next year should
be very good. according to J. o. Eaton,
chairman Of the board of the Eaton
Axle and Spring Co.
II believe our business will continue
as good or better in the last part of
the year as in the first six months, -
he said.
I've had good July and a good
August said J. A. Krider, secretary
Of the Thompson Products Co. makers
of automobile valves, with plants in
Detroit and Cleveland. while I do
not think there is quite as much snap
in the business now as in the Spring.
we are assured of a steady volume the
remainder of the year.
Officials of the National Acme Co.
and the Cleveland Automatic Machine
Co. which serve the automobile trade,
report that demand for parts quick
ened in July and that prospects are
bright.