[SOLVED]How to make cash?

[Eric.B]

I assume you're assigning the vehicles to production and distribution in the branches?

If so then here is a quick run down of a way make a modest profit in game:
The game aims to be fairly realistic in its economic simulation. Where were all the car companies in 1900? That's where you want to start.

Also make sure you play on easy.

• Put your HQ in Western Europe or America.
  
• Design your 3 components, try not to make them more than $200 per unit.
  
• When they are finished check the Body Style Demand Report in the Sales Book under reports. This will give you a good indication of what kind of car is in style for that region.
  
• Design the vehicle, try to keep the unit cost under $1000
  
• When the vehicle is done, assign it to production in your HQ factory. Only assign 1 production line and build about 15 cars. You can expand production as you increase your distribution.
  
• Price your car in your branch distribution at roughly 60-100% higher than unit cost. Make sure that it is below 5x per capita or you get an excess wealth penalty in sales.
  
• Open new branches, target cities with more than 300,000 people. Assign the vehicle for distribution in your new branches. Try not to open branches too far away from your factories. Transportation will kill profits.
  
• End the turn, check the sales logs, and check the Vehicle Demand Report. If the Vehicle Demand Reports shows that there is still more demand for the vehicle, increase production.
  
• After a few turns you've probably maxed out production at the factory, if you are still not turning a profit and you still have more demand for vehicles you can increase price. You can do this globally via the calculator. (abacus in the early game.)
  

I just tried that and was making $20,000 profits a month by 6/1901. Not too shabby. When you get a better grasp of the game you can switch to making niche companies but for now aim to be a generic car company.

Ask if you have any more questions!