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Show GOOD YEAR FOR BUSINESS SEEN Automobile Makers Expect Keen Competition Assuring High Quality. A year of keen competition, with good business for the strong com-j com-j panics, and greater emphasis than ever before on quality products and service 'to the ultimate consumer this Is the I outlook for 1922 In the automotive industry', in-dustry', according to a survey of financial finan-cial executives and general managers of the principal parts and equipment manufacturers. The results of a symposium conducted con-ducted by the Motor and Accessory' Manufacturers association among its members have Just been made public by M. L. Heminway, general manager. Predictions concerning the 1922 automobile passenger car and truck production, and the consequent unit and accessory business, show a considerable con-siderable divergence. Many of the companies report that indications in their own business point to a sub stantlal upward trend during 1922 The figures generally given range between be-tween 20 per cent and 30 per cent as the expected Increase, although some manufacturers look for a more profitable profit-able year without an increased volume. This attitude is based on the general reduction in overhead and increase in-crease in productive and distributing efficiency which characterized U21 business. Three large and representative unit manufacturers In Detroit. making respectlvelv automobile bodies, radl ntor?' and springs, were the first to answer the association's questioniiHii o and without exception they predicted a marked improvement in 1922 The body manufacturer stated flatly that he was figuring on an increase of about 33 1-3 per cent over 1921 sales. "The outlook tor 1922, ' said the radiator manufacturer, "is good. Wc Deneve a ivusonaute increase m vm-put vm-put over 1921 will occur with those companies which are well established and giving good value in their product. pro-duct. The truck companies should do a considerably greater volume." From the spring manufacturer came an opinion somewhat less certain, yet strongly forward looking and confi-dent. confi-dent. "Business should be slightly I better than 1921," he said, "with credit conditions crystallizing." A note of prudence and conservative conserva-tive Judgment Is sounded by one of the 'eading pis-ton ring manufacturers In America, a companv in close touch with many of the "key" automobile companies This manufacturer presents pre-sents the following statement: "The outlook for next year in the automotive industry, while brighter does not by any means indicate a re turn to the unusual sales and marketing market-ing conditions which prevailed during the war. which must be recocnized by all as abnormal, and a return to normal nor-mal conditions does not by any means mean a return of the conditions pre- VQilinir Hnt-lnc nr timt t'ril If i w I n f the recent war. A somewhat different view la ei pressed by a representative sheet metal and stamping company In the Detroit district: "There will not be anv more auto mobiles produced in 1922 ihan in 1921. This, however, does not mean a dull year for the parts makers, but rather a decided improvement over 1921 as Ihe automobile manufacturers have virtuallj exhausted their stock of parts; furthermore, it will requlro 8 brand new eet of parts on account of changing models." Particularly significant is the following fol-lowing analysis, for it comes from a Michigan company, one of the two or throe largest automobile wheel manufacturers manu-facturers In the country "The outlook for 1922 Is even better than tho outlook was two years ago today for tho year 1920. Our business has averaced 70 per cent, each month of this year as compared with 1920. nnd we have every' reason to believe that 1922 will be considerably better than 1921 or 1920." Two representative automobile engine en-gine manufacturers contributed to the Bymposium. One replied brleflv "Thirl v per cent better than 1921." The other went into greater detail "In response to your Inquiry, 1t Is our feeling that there will be from now on a rrradunl but slight Improvement Improve-ment in general business conditions so that by July, 1922, we may hope for what may be a 50 per cent of normal production) We doubt very much I whether the production as a whole at the time mentioned will exceed the percentage stated " |