THE CUBA R E \' I E W 



OPENING FOR MODERN VEHICLES 



[Correspondence of the Hub, of New York] 



CUBA A GROWING MARKET FOR AMERICAN CARRIAGES, WAGONS, 

 AUTOMOBILES, ETC. METHODS OF SELLING 



Although Cuban vehicles have been greatly improved during the past few years, 

 there is ample room for the introduction of some of the latest types of American 

 carriages, wagons, automobiles and transportation conveyances in general. A cor- 

 respondent, returned from Cuba recently, noted the aspects of domestic transportation 

 as seen in various parts of the island. In the city of Havana, and in all of the 

 principal thoroughfares of the country, one may find some high grade vehicles in 

 use, most of which were imported. In the towns and along the country highways, 

 the lack of effective transportation facilities is marked. There are numerous con- 

 trasting scenes. You will observe the crude, bulky, oxen cart struggling slowly along 

 the roadside, while the swift up-to-date motor vehicle goes speedily by. The movers 

 of freight in Havana have not been at all backward in getting hold of modern patterns 

 of motor vehicle express wagons. But outside of Havana there are numerous old- 

 fashioned rigs still in use. After looking over the field quite thoroughly, the cor- 

 respondent concluded that there must be a valuable and encouraging opening for the 

 sale of modern vehicles in Cuba. There is a demand for light rigs throughout the 

 commercial centers. There are express wagons wanted of the American type, as 

 many of the wagons of local manufacture are rather awkward in design and heavy 

 for the animals to haul. There are first class blacksmiths to be found in some of 

 the larger places in Cuba, as well as shops in which a good grade of vehicles is 

 turned out. But the lack of proper tools and devices for manufacturing a superior 

 pattern of vehicles in Cuba is seriously felt by all engaged in the work. Hence, the 

 inflow of imported conveyances continues to be large. No doubt, in time the carriage 

 and wagon works of the country will be properly equipped with all of the machinery 

 necessary for the production of a high grade of modern vehicle, in which case the 

 manufacturers of carriages and wagons of the United States will not have the oppor- 

 tunity to supply the Cuban vehicle market as at the present time. 



Therefore the writer concluded that the present is a good time for the exporter of 

 vehicles to cater to the Cuban markets. A very good way to reach the consumers in 

 Cuba is through the commission houses. There are Americans in practically all of 

 the leading commercial centers of the island who handle American made goods. Each 

 of these central firms has a sub-agent in the form of an enterprising tradesman in 

 the leading cities and towns of the island. Carriages could be seen in the rear 

 exhibition room of certain shoe stores, as the shoe dealer was simply the agent of 

 the main commission house of the island. 



The sub-agents of the cities and towns scattered throughout Cuba in turn have 

 their drummers out. Cuban enterprise is telling now. and business in all directions 

 has taken a start. Some of the agents and drummers are Americans. The local 

 agents of the towns send out their salesmen with samples of the goods. One plan 

 involves the hauling of the vehicle for sale along in the rear of the conveyance in 

 which the drummer is riding. The drummer goes from one party to the other who 

 is likely to want a vehicle, until a bargain is made. Sometimes the vehicle is well 

 spattered with mud when the buyer finally gets it. but there is no serious objection to 

 that. The drummer simply explains that he is hauling out a sample buggy for show 

 purposes. The buyer figures that the sample is better than the new vehicle back in 

 the store may be, and accepts the dusty vehicle at hand. 



As soon as the vehicle is sold, the drummer returns for another. Often he goes 

 out with the horse attached to the rig direct and bargains off both the horse and the 

 rig at a good price. 



Another line of service for the vehicle folks of Cuba is the fitting up of conveyances 

 for the traveling stores. Cuba is a great land for portable mercantile conveyances. 

 The dealer in vehicles has numerous demands for second-hand carriages or wagons 

 refitted to carry shelves of goods and exhibit the same to the people along the wayside. 

 The refitted conveyance is made so that shoes, confectionery, tinware, dry goods, 

 bottled stuffs and the like may be placed in tiers so that the articles can be seen. 



If I desired to sell conveyances in Cuba I would correspond with the interested parties 

 who deal in vehicles and do the business through them. The average Cuban trades- 

 man is as reliable as the average tradesman of other countries. The leading dealers 

 in goods in the cities and towns are as a rule men who have been tested and can 



