Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-19

duction for Mach were
indicated at a recent meet
ing of the National Auto
mobile Chamber of Commerce In
New York City, when the regular
monthly estimate placed the out
put at 2S6, 1888 cars and trucks for
last month. Not only does this
mean an increase of Is per cent
over the output for the preceding
month, but it places the industry
ahead Of its record for the last
nine months. Estimates were
based upon factory shipping re-
ports for the month. The figures
correspond with the table of the
Department of Commerce reports.
Pressure Disappeared.
Pressure for business volume at
any price has largely disappeared
in the motor industry and with
production advancing steadily
the motor leaders are looking for
ward to sales season extend
ing far beyond the usual period.
The usual Spring selling continues
to increase with good weather.
This Interpretation of the motor
industry's position was expressed
by Alfred Reeves upon his arrival
in Detroit for the National Air
Show and to hold conferences at
the various motor factories.
There should not be any ap-
preciable decrease in the automo-
bile business this Summer such
as has usually followed the Spring
buying season." said Mr.. Reeves.
THE seasonal influence upon
car buying has been substantially
reduced through readjuStments in
the induStry'S merchandising
policies. A large part of this is
due to the manufacturers de-
ciSion not to announce new
models during the Summer.
Prospective purchasers are as
sured thereby that they can buy
cars that will not be a year old
for insurance, registration or re-
sale purposes until practically the
entire IL months have gone by.
Orderly Production Seen.
1.-THE new plan will make for
more orderly production and
steadier employment of labor,
with no cleaning up Of models in
Midsummer.
1.-The position of the automobile
industry shows substantial i'm
provement rejecting its funda-
mental strength and ability" con-
tinued Mr.. Reeves.
Manufacturers for the past IL
months have been working closer
together on common problems,
whether they related to broader
promotionai work here or in
foreign countries; whether they
involved the elimination of unsafe
cars on the highways through the
manufacturers junking plan or
whether they related to similar
plans making for lower produc-
ton or selling costs.
There has been no hySteria
within the industry, but a very
definite recognition that tn e
troubles OF the depression are now
happily passing and firm belief
that the world requires more and
more highway transportation.
There has been a gratifying
willingness among the manufac-
turerS even under these highly
competitive conditions to coop
crate more closely for the ad-
vancement of the industry and
particularly to combat restrictive
laws or measures of any kind that
could be considered unfair to the
motor maker or user.
saTSnA o~nNtn@f 4Vy1vNrnvgoV1n hos
been registered in the retail sales
division of the industry.
During the depression manu-
facturerS concentrated on build
ing q respect for the principles of
merchandising economics into
their distribution outlets. The
leaders recognized that distribu-
ton is now the most important
angle Of the industry and UNI
usual efforts are being made to
improve the dealers situation and
to cooperate with them in in
creasing their efficiency.
Retirement Of Cars.
"The highway safety plan, IN
der which the machinery was set
in motion for the retirement Of
wornout and frequently danger
Gus vehicles from service, Is one
evidence Of this.
Although this plan was only
recommended to the individual
manufacturers by the directors of
the National Automobile Cham
Der of Commerce comparatively
recently, we have definite knowl-
edge that more than $4,000 We
hicles have been removed from
the highways as q result.
"Ofncial 1880 motor vehicle
registration statistics announced
q week ago would indicate q sub
Stantial elimination OF unsafe We
hicles from the highways during
the past year.
The figures show that 2,925, 900
vehicles registered during 1929
were not registered during 1880.
This is almost 100000 more than
were recorded in any previous
year.
"All of them may not have been
junked. Some may come back on
the roads this year, but the f1g-
ureS indicate very clearly that the
public appreciates that it is un-
economical to continue the use OF
old, unsafe cars in the face Of the
modern efficient product.
In this fact lies the induStry'S
strongest hope for continuing
good business during the Summer
and throughout the rest of 1881.
Certainly, with the passing Of de-
preston conditions, the public is