Motor Output

As a centre of optimism, Detroit is giving California and even Florida some stiff competition. Automobile-makers there are now planning their 1926 production schedules, and they are not doing it halfheartedly.

Dodge Bros, is extending its plants to permit a 50% increase in production, to 1,500 cars a day. Hudson goes even further, planning a 100% increase, to 2,000 cars a day. Similarly, output capacity per day is being arranged by Buick for 750 cars, by Chrysler for 800 to 1,000, by Willys-Overland for 1,100, and by Chevrolet for 2,200. These of course are maximum figures. Yet estimates of 1926 car production call for a 40% increase over 1925 for these six popular makers, as follows:

MAKER 1925 1926 Dodge .............................. 275,000 375,000 Hudson ............................ 275,000 450,000 Buick ................................ 185,000 200,000 Chrysler .......................... 146,000 250,000 Willys-Overland .......... 239,000 330,000 Chevrolet ........................ 490,000 660,000 Total 1,610,000 2,265,000

This situation in the opinion of Detroit, spells the most competitive year ahead in the history of the industry. It seems doubtful whether the public demand will absorb this greater production. The probability therefore is that the more popular and efficient motor producers will make further inroads upon their less favored competitors.