Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-01-10
MEN AND MONEY
BY NJ. S. Rukeyser.
Copyright. 1927

The tNenty-seventh annual ballyhoo
of the automotive industry - the
yearly shows now under way in
New York. A by-product of the event,
which will continue until the end OF
the week is to make last years car
seem obsolete.
The remarkable progress of the IN
dustry on the sales side results from
the desire of the production engl-
neers pelpetually to improve the
product. InceSSant experimentation
and bctterment are the keynotes OF
the industry, which has never learned
he meaning Of conservatism. This
attitude has brought about a. paradox.
The industry itself is perpetually max
ing consumers dissatisfied with last
years cars, and yet it is trying 10
educate motorists not to expect TOO
much on their OLD cars in trade-lnS.
Forty-tWo manufacturers OF pas
senEer cars are cXhibltlng-tWo OF
three fewer than last year. The num-
Der has been gradually reduced as
the bulk Of the business has become
concentrated into fewer hands. Foro
and General Motors alone do consid-
erably more than tWo-thirdS OF tne
total business of the industry. 1hlr
teen manufacturers are responsible
for IS per cent of the sales.
In the rush to whet the buying ap'
petite of the public, an unusually
large number of exhibitors nave
brought out new models. The woman
in the home is supposed to nave d
decisive vote in picking out cars ana
the manufacturers are seeking to at
In1 will a
color. Moreover, increased attention
is being given to interior decoration
in automobiles, especially to uphol-
STEERING.
Smaller Cars Popular.
The congestion in the streets OF
cities has driven manufacturers "
follow the European example or cars
with smaller wheelbases. There IS
q marked trend in the current eX-
hibition toward smaller cars.
On the mechanical side, the manu-
facturers are aiming at slightly
higher compression In engines anu
what has been done is only fore
runner of more significant future
changes in this direction. The OBJ
iect is more economical consumption
of rasoline-more gallons to the mile.
When national distribution pr new
types of gasoline are arranged, some
of the leading manufacturers are
planning to make more radical
changes in compression.
Other mechanical changes obserV-
able In the present exhibit lnciude
smaller wheels. lower-hung bodleS'
better brakes, air cleaners, oil 1eeo
ers and crankcase VentllatofS lild'
make for longer life for the engine.
The twenty seventh annual sym
nhonv of the automotive industry Is
of interest not only to the owners
of 100000 registered cars, but 10
the whole population, because 'le
current prosperity is to a large eA
tent built or the extraordinary rate
of growth of the automotive lnduS-
trv. The other main prop OF the cur
rent prosnerity-the building lnduS
trv-is influenced by the sale ol
automobiles. which make new sup
urban districts accessible ana an
general condition the manner VI
growth of American communities
Reeves Is Spokesman.
Alfred Reeves, general manager OF
the National Chamber of Commerce
which runs the show, is spokesman
for all the makers of motor VehlcleS
exceDt Henry Ford, the sage VI
Dearborn. who plays lone mana. .
THE output for the first nan Oh
this wear" said the genial Mr.; Reeves
on looking into the crystal bail, may
not reach the high-water marx OF
1926. which will bring better pal
ance in the last half of the year, our
replacement mark should require az
least two million motor Nehlcles' ne
norts from our world travellers pro-
noting motor transport indicate an
increasing recognition by foreigners
of their needs that makes certain our
exports will exceed 100000 vehicles.
The greatest menace TO the business
is the used car problem, and the tlihe
seems at hand when manufacturers
and dealers must combine in an eHorl
to improve 1t.
with a line of offerings that VIII
give greater value than ever before
in the history of the industry, 1t
seems assured 1927 production or
motor vehicles should be on par
with the four-and-a half millions OF
1926. Truck and bus production are
certain to increase over last years
figures and the new passenger cars
will have so many advantages that
they will make obsolete millions OF
cars now running"