Update - started a new game with the 1.57ddh patch in place, but with no modification to the default port supply/demand setting. Upon the first delivery of autos to Toledo with its port, demand went to zero and stayed there - did not recover. Like it always used to be. Goods demand also went to zero on first delivery, but then recovered....slowly. That's not exactly as I remember it, but my memory could easily be off on that point. Goods demand going immediately to zero didn't seem quite right, but at least it was starting to recover. First to 1, then to 2. I didn't continue to play long after that to see how far it would go., as the main purpose was to test the port mod effect on autos.
So my test removed any doubt about the effect of rearranging the port supply/demand positions as I previously outlined. Again, Jeffry, thank you for that tip.
The summation of these changes in the patch and now in the port mod will increase revenue and make game goals easier to achieve. That's wonderful, but will almost necessitate an asterisk with new record games when compared against the harder, pre-patch game records.