Automobiles

The "motor game" is much less seasonal than formerly, owing to the higher proportion of closed cars now manufactured. This is one reason why this fall production-records of the leading makers are holding up so well.

Another trend in the industry even more striking is the general slashing of prices to gain quantity production. Ford cars have now become so cheap that Henry Ford is beginning to feel the competition. Practically since 1908 Ford kept his famous Model "T" unchanged, and at a cost far below other makers. Since the war, about 48% of cars sold in this country have been Fords. But during the past year, Fords constituted only 42% of cars sold. This accounts for Ford's sudden effort to make his famous vehicle a thing of beauty.

For the eight months of 1925, car production has been 6% ahead of 1924, despite the recent significant falling off in the sale of Fords while the model for the latter was being changed. As against 1924 the output of low-priced cars gained 3%, medium-priced cars 26%, and high-priced cars 6%.