Evening star., 1932-11-06
FIRST MOVE MADE
IN PRICE CHANGES.
Auto Industry Completing
New Models and Cost
List for 1888.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
Ter Corporation made the first move
this week toward price readjustment
that will have its effect on the market
for low-priced cars next year. Mr..
Chrysler made public a new schedule
that subtracts an average of $50 from
new Plymouth models that are now
skies, replacing the fours.
Under present conditions, fixing the
price at which any new motor car can
be built and sold is one Of the difficult
jobs that confronts an automobile man.
ufacturer. A new list. for that reason,
usually is held back until within few
hours Of the time when the new models
! are first displayed to dealer groups. This
was true in this instance.
shaves Cost Of Skies.
One result the Chrysler action will
have is to shave down the average price
at which skies in the lowest priced diyi-
sion are being offered by makers oper-
ating in this field by approximately $50.
This calculation is made on the five
passenger sedan types TO. which demand
is greatest and on which base prices
now depend
Price wars" among automobile max
ers III recent years seldom have been
declared, but the competitive struggle,
| nevertheless. Is intense. Modern pro-
duction and selling plans are the result
OF research. Once course OF action IS
mapped out and projected, 1t has to be
| followed to the end Of the season. High
pressure often has to be brought into
play to obtain objectives and board room
strategy Is not slow to apply 1t If
needed.
Intimation from the Dodge Bros or
ganization Is going the rounds to the
effect that new models are on the way
and may be heralded officially to the
field forces shortly after the election.
The understanding is that the 1888
| cars are to embody transmission
| change involving gear-shift improve
ment new to the industry. 1t has been
stated that the new idea received the
official o. K. some time ago and that
it is soon to find its way to the assem-
bly, line.
Numerous plants at this time are
completing the annual process of Great
ing new lines for the year to come
, BY modernized practice the factory job
OF bringing new automobile into eX-
| istence from the ground up" is split
up into IL parts that merge in the
| finished car as it rolls off the assembly
line
Alloy steel of tensile strength expertly
calculated to withstand predetermined
strains is the foundation for the chassis
The dozen steps or stages involved
in assembly may be classified as fol-
lows:
l. The frame with its side members
and crossmembers. is placed on an as
sembly line of its own and there has
added to it front and rear axles. with
brake. steering rod and speedometer
connections. Then the frame is trans
ferred to a place at the start of the
final assembly line.
?. Engine and transmission come
from other departments which build
them up as the result of numerous
operations into which their construction
is divided. Pistons, camshaft, crank
shaft, valves, cylinder head. crank
case converge with the power plant at
designated points TO form the finished
unit. A subdivision is that of springs,
of which 90 different types are re-
quired for valves. carburetors, rocker
arms starters. generators, distributors
and other parts.
3. Steering gear and fuel system have
, to be built and placed in the chassis
and connections made. The steering
mechanism is drop-forged and heat
treated. The gasoline tank is made of
sheet steel welded to form a sealed unit
that must not leak.
4. Battery splash guards and brack-
/ cts are made in subplants. where they
are procesSed and fabricated.
5. Tires and wheels have their indi
vidual plant sources and are delivered
to the final line as required.
Other Assembly Processes.
6. Tenders and running boards are
formed in presses OF tremendous stamp
ing power. Running boards receive
their ribbed rubber covering before
going to the point where they join the
/ chassis and the tenders are painted be-
fore they are bolted on.
Z. Bodies, if made OF composite wood
and steel originate in forest and foun-
cry for the required parts The all
steel type is almost all confined to foun-
dry and stamping work by machines
that exert thousands of pounds pres
sure, but which can be operated by but
ton or lever control. Six hundred all
steel bodies day can be built with less
floor space than was required 10 years
ago to turn out 80 day.
8. Body trim starts with spraying of
sound-deadening emulsion on the
bare metal interior. Then the cloth.
paper, upholstery ming, springs, are
brought forward for attachment.
9. Glass and hardware. the former
for windshields, doors and windows
and the latter in the form of door
handles. locks. window cranks. ash re-
ceivers and match holders. come from
outside and form parts Of body assem-
bly,.
TO- Wiring and instruments have to
be fabricated and connected Elec-
trical wiring harness carries current for
lights inside and outside, horn and
starter circuits.
H. Radiator, hood and lamps are
grouped with hinges. hood doors and
fasteners in the assembly plan. Their
production is from a wide variety of
sources and the fit must be precise
before they are put in place.
r. Inspection at the end Of the line
is the last step that car undergoes
before it is marked O.. K. With gaso-
line, oil. water and grease put in, a
man presses his foot on the starter,
the engine comes to life and the ma
chine that is the product Of many
hands ana processes moves off under
its own power.
Copyright 1882 by North American News
paper Alliance, 1nc.)