Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-25
TWO BILLION SPENT
FOR AUTO PARTS
Most People Are Ignorant of
Accessories Branch of
Industry.
BY HARLOW H. CURTICE,
President AC Spark Plug Co.

More than $4,000. 100000 are spent
yearly for automotive parts and equip
i11ent, original and replacement
Yet how many persons realize the
magnitude of this industry, the many
factories necessary to produce such an
outnut, the specialized engineering and
machinery: and more particularly the
significance of parts and equipment spe-.
cialization in bringing down the cost OF
motor cars to present low levels:
A motor car is really built through
co-onerative effort of specialized engi-
neeGng and manufacturing facilities
in many factories throughout the coun-
try, with the greater part of the manu-
featuring, of course, in the automoble
factory.
Specializing Needed.
without the specialized concerns
making various automotive units LOT
both original equipment and replace
ment parts. the cost of the majority OF
automobiles today would be materially
higher.
1t is not only in lowering costs that
automotive equipment manufacturers
play a vital part but in contributions 10
engineering advancements and improve
ments in their special fields. For, ike
the great engineering stats of the motor
car companies, the majority OF equip
inent manufacturing companies have
fine, specialized engineering STATS and
laboratories. These stats focus their
attention on a smaller field than that of
the motor car engineers, but a field In
its way that is just as vital.
That this technical information and
experience is highly important to the
motor car manufacturer IS evident on
the bringing out OF new car, When
the engineering specialists OF various
equipment organizations are called into
consultation for the purpose of discus
sing equipment from standpoint OF
application, efficiency and desiraolllty
Cumulative knowledge built up
through the years is available on such
parts as carburetors, the ignition sys-
tenn, fuel pumps, radiators, oil filters,
silencers, air cleaners, tires and spark
plugs.
/ could give a striking illustration on
the importance of reSearch-hoW a
newly developed spark plug only IA mil
limeters in diameter opens the way Tor
development Of even higher efficiency
In engines. This development was the
elimination of more than 20 years re-
search work on spark plugs.
Noteworthy Feature.
One other noteworthy feature OF
this specialization of the equipment
companies is the competitive system in
vogue which provides the incentive
actually to improve their products from
year to year-to expand laboratories as
an insurance that they may be in the
vanguard Of the parade.
The equipment company must not
only keep abreast of the development OF
the motor car insofar as it applies to its
particular products but If it is pro-
Rressive and expansive it must con-
tribute to the progress of the industry
BY providing new and improved devices.
I do not think I am overstating
the case when I say the equipment
organizations of the country are not
only a vital factor in lowering the price
of motor cars but are likewise important
In introducing many mechanical i'm
provements that help make the motor
car of today the fine, efficient, eco
nonical utility that it is.
Motor car and gas taxes $925. 900 900
equal to "a per cent of the cost OF the
Federal Government.