Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-01-30


market-the greatest of ala foreign
market whose scope and power and
| influence are gaining each year, and
whose future relationship to the in
| dustry gives promise of being of the
| first Importance.
Dips Are Inevitable.
| The industry does not fear a
''saturation point" but it does look.
and wisely, to the years far ahead,
and realizes that soon or late drop
| in production will come because Of
| lessened demand. 1t may be for a
year or two, with consumption flood
ing back in greater volume than ever
| before. Probably that is what will
occur. Such dips are inevitable in
the economic scheme of things. And
when the time comes for the auto
mobile industry's domestic dip. that
enterprise will have its defensive and
offensive armor in such condition that
continued and more intensive cultiva-
ton of overseas fields will have the
effect of making up the deficit.
But the automotive industry is look
ing to the rest of the world more than
just as an outlet for its surplus prod
uctS when the home market shows
signs of temporary weakening. 1t is
seeking to enlist it as a vast and po-
tential steady customer: as a backlog
of growing significance in its yearly
business.
The world likes American motor
cars. That much has been demon
strated time and time again. Even
in countries where there is q virile
domestic industry, as in England
France, Germany and Italy. the auto
mobile manufactured in the United
States ic
outselling the home product, despite
frequent appeals to national pride and
patriotism. In the fiercest compe-
t1tion abroad, the American car has
come out ahead in the face of handi-
caps, which, at times, seemed exceed
ingly difficult to surmount.
Aid Foreign Problems.
For instance, earlier in this coun.
try's automotive exporting career,
servicing was a problem and selling
was hard because of a lack of it. OF re-
cent years this has undergone marked
change. with leading American manu-
1acturerS giving the same SolicitouS
care to their overseas customers prob.
lens as they do to those of the mo-
torist of New York, Miami Chicago.
san Antonio, Omaha or Los Angeles
With this prime factor in his favor,
the foreign salesman of American
cars has an advantage which cannot
be argued away, and the result has
been rising tide of exports from
THESE shores to those Of every nation
under the SUM-
During 1926 the number of vehicles
exported from the United States and
Canada number of American man
ufacturers have factories across the
border-reached $4,000, and the
value of the cars and parts exported.
including engines and tires, was
S475 100000 This is per cent
advance over 1925, and the figure
covering the number of cars exported
is IL per cent of those manufactured.
In striking contrast to the $50. 900
automobiles exported by the United
States during 1926 is the total of $40
cars imported. A favorable trade
balance. to say the least!
Latin American Journalists.
In discussion of foreign trade as
IL relates to the automobile industry.
ana IN a review of the outstanding de-
VelopmentS of the year from an eco
nomic angle, in which an eve is out
toward future prospects. the visit of
the Latin American journalists must
not be overlooked. AS guests of the
american automobile industry these
leading representatives visited a ma
Jority of automotive plants, travelled
over many hundreds of miles of fine
roads in the most de luxe buses and
carried back with them to their ma
tive countries vivid picture of what
automobiles can do and what their
introduction on a large scale can
bring about in the way of develop
ment and progress
This move on the part Of the in.
dustry was a definite and construc-
tive one in behalf of a greater volume
Of business in Central and South
| America, and it cannot be said that
such step will not rebound to the
mutual benefit of all concerned.
In addition to these points, the at
tftude of the industry in this instance
well illustrates it's entire viewpoint
| toward the foreign field and, while
not exactly novel. it is new enough
| to warrant comment
Outlook for Future.
| The figures already cited have indi.
| Gated that the year 1926 was one of
| -------------------------------