Compiled by Lou Hunsinger Jr.

Selling and servicing cars is a multi-million dollar business in Williamsport.

The value of rented and owned buildings, equipment and land of the 11-member agencies of the Williamsport Automobile Dealers Association totals $3,020,007.

The inventory of parts and of new and used automobiles of the 11 dealers total an estimated $2.5 million.

The payroll of the employees totals $1,672,322.

Altogether then, the automobile industry involves about $6,192,328 a year. Moreover, it employs some 370 persons with over 900 dependents.

Last year, the 11 dealer agencies sold 8,990 new and used automobiles. That averages to about 173 cars a week, or 25 cars a day.

But now the Williamsport Automobile Dealers Association is undertaking an all-out “You Auto Buy Now” campaign in effort to sell more new and used cars then ever before in the history of the city. The sales drive begins Friday.

Until April 28, when the campaign will end, auto dealers will keep showrooms open every day until 9 p.m. They will be closed today and next Sunday, as usual.

According to Francis W. Wylie, president of the W.A.D.A., Williamsport is one of the first cities in the nation to try the “You Auto Buy Now” promotion Philadelphia is the only other city in Pennsylvania to join in the movement. Over 150 other communities across the nation are taking part in the campaign.
The big sales push is intended to help turn the nation’s so-called “recession” the other way. It is part of a national movement by the auto industry to bring an improvement to the nation’s economy and business through buying.

“Exceptional values are the outstanding feature of the campaign,” said Mr. Wylie, “and we expect an overflow of customer traffic.”