Published October 1965 — Download PDF of the original newspaper column
From the Office of United States Senator Robert C. Byrd Room 342, Old Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. Volume V -- Number 41 October 8, 1965 Byrd's Eye View A Public Service Column by Senator Robert C. Byrd This season of the year heralds the appearance on the U.S. market of the 1966 models of American manufactured automobiles. Many American families will proudly purchase their new 1966 car, rightfully rejoicing in the prospect of many hours of driving pleasure and carefree mobility, without too great thought ,to the economic impact of each purchase. Other Americans will become new car owners because of the necessity for transportation to and from work, for about 41 of the 50 million U.S. workers commuting daily to work use automobiles as the major mode of transportation. There will be ample 1966 models manufactured in the U.S. to meet the bulk of new car demands--totally outside of foreign imports--for the American auto industry in 1965 has been building cars at an unprecedented rate--approximately one million monthly. Nonetheless, European producers say the American market for their car models is expanding fast. Apparently, many Americans like imported models, just as, in turn, many persons abroad buy American autos. In 1962, U.S. automotive exports totaled $5 billion. But new car buying is only a part of the American automotive oriented economy story. U.S. motor vehicle registration last year totaled over 82 million units, representing an increase of 46 per cent in the last 10 years. The world's motor vehicle registration in 1962 was 146 million, with approximately 60 percent of the world's passenger cars located in the U.S. In 1963, nearly $12 billion in motor vehicle taxes were collected from motorists. Approximately 793 billion vehicle miles were tolled up by Americans; and, in doing so, they used some 64 billion gallons of highway motor fuel, resulting in excellent tax collection opportunities for the individual States. West Virginia collected approximately $37 million in gasoline taxes, and with its projected increases in highway construction and expanded tourism, it stands to benefit even more. Also, in 1963, automotive retail sales totaled $67 billion; and the automotive replacement parts business was reported at $9- billion, at the retail level. As estimated general average of 79 million cars are presently operating on American roads, and parts are marketed through every conceivable channel--260,000 gasoline service stations; 104,000 independent repair garages; 38,000 franchised car dealers; and 17,000 wholesalers. The stimulus of increased car and automotive parts production is felt throughout our national economy. In 1963, the auto industry purchased approximately one-fourth of all the steel produced in the U.S. 40 per cent of all American produced radios were auto sets, and $22 billion were extended in auto credits for that year. One business in every six is automotive, and approximately 12 million persons are employed in highway transport industries, including 110,000 in West Virginia. The benefits of increased car production accrue to carmakers, their workers, dealers, repairmen, suppliers of oar production lines manufacturers, suppliers of parts for car factories, tire makers, gasoline sellers, writers of auto insurance, roadside restaurants and motels, engineers, highway construction firms, chemical manufacturers, metal fabricators, and rubber, glass, and plastic firms. They are felt by air conditioning manufacturers, for nearly one million units were included in passenger cars in 1962. A well-known automobile manufacturer, later a Cabinet member, once remarked that what was good for his automobile manufacturing firm was good for the U.S. Possibly, facts such as the foregoing influenced his thinking. -30-