It’s all about context…..

[Rob]

At Old Car Festival a few weeks ago, someone mentioned that Ford significantly lowered production of the six cylinder Model K in 1908. As a matter of fact, Ford did drop the number of K sold in 1908 (as they also did with Model N). The K and N were 3 year models, 1906-1908. In 1906 Ford’s internal audit showed 301 K sold in 1906, 357 in 1907 and 119 in 1908. These were fiscal year totals (October 1 - September 30).

While these production numbers are low by Model T numbers (and later industry standards), sales of over 100 cars of a particular model in a sales year were not unusual. In fact, Ford led all six cylinder makers in the sale of sixes in both 1906 and 1907. However, as Ford moved toward Model T production, sales (production) of both the K and N dropped in FY 1908.

Back to “context.” While Ford six (Model K) sales “dropped” to 119 in FY 1908, the attached October 1907 article reports 1908 projected production numbers for E.R. Thomas. Thomas introduced a six cylinder 40 hp Flyer for 1908, with a production projection of 100-150 cars. Point being, producing of over 100 six cylinder cars in 1908 was still a significant number.

[OilyBill]

You have to keep in mind, that this was still the day of "Stationary Assembly", where teams of men put cars together one at a time. Even when moving assembly lines came along, only the large manufacturers could install and use them.

Companies like the "Brush Runabout Co." with their tiny production, never did reach a moving assembly line, even as late as 1912, their final year.
Other manufacturers such as Franklin, also never even bothered with moving assembly lines. Franklin only produced a total of 2400 cars total in 1908, and in 1910, only 2300 cars. Franklin did not put on a 2nd shift until their big sales year of 1920, when they actually built 10,000 cars for the YEAR. so they were only making about 8-10 complete cars each day, for most years of their production. 500 or more cars a year was considered BIG production. Ford thought big, right from the start.