Evening star., 1932-12-17
M|DW|NTER AUTO =
I. PRODUCTION IS ON
Practically All of Leading
Firms Are Turning Out
New Models.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
DETROIT, December 17.-For the
first time since the plan became part
of the permanent policy Of the auto
mobile industry, the builders of motor
cars are having an opportunity to test
in large measure the advantages of the
Midwinter production of new models.
Up until the beginning Of the chaotic
conditions that followed the collapse
Of the motor car market in the Fall Of
1929 new models usually were brought
out in the Summer season, often
stretching over the period from early
June until late August. 1t was argued
in turning to the Midwinter presenta-
ton plan that employment would be
afforded at a time when 1t was most
at time when demand was normally
at lower point than during the Sum.
n1er months.
New Plan in Operation.
Not until this year. however, was 1t
possible to get the majority Of the pro-
ducerS into joint action on the plan.
Virtually all of them now have their
production programs arranged to COIN
eide with the plan sponsored by the
National Automobile Chamber of Com
merce, and while several have brought
their new cars out few weeks before
the time originally proposed, in the
main the year-end model scheme may
be said to be in full swing at present.
A notable exception, of course, is the
Ford Motor Co., which makes fewer
changes in its models than other pro-
ducers. The company, too, is one OF
the lew important producers not mems
bers OF the National Automobile Cham.
Der.
That the employment phase of the
plan Is being borne out apparently has
been shown by the recent recalling of
a substantial number of former en-
ployes by various manufacturers, body
plants and employers in related lines.
Leaders of the industry are careful to
point out that the men recalled are
all former employees in their plants
and that the waiting list is considerably
greater than can be provided for.
They add, however, that if business
conditions were anywhere near nor
NAL the number of men returning to
work would be great enough to en-
phatically justify the year-end new
model plan on the basis of employ.
ment alone.
Under present conditions the pro-
ducers are unable to make any definite
predictions as to how long their plants
will maintain the schedules adopted
with the beginning of new-model out
put. While some Of the plants are un-
6erstood to have orders to insure opera
tions under limited production schedules
for the next three months, the output
will be kept in close consonance with de-
mand. and If retail demand does not
raterialize after dealers have been pro-
vided for. factory operations will be re-
duced accordingly.
The current week finds virtually every
plant of sizable capacity in production
to some extent, with output schedules
based largely upon the immediate re-
quirements of the retail division The
plant activity follows a period of cur
tailed operations that was extended
somewhat to enable the dealer organi-
zations to dispose Of current models be.
fore the new types were presented.
Annual Exhibition.
One Of the immediate concerns Of the
production managers is to have all
dealers In the remote communities as
well as in the larger centers provided
with the new vehicles when the New
York Automobile Show opens on Janu-
ary 7. although most of the new types
will have had their initial presentation
before that date. With retail demand
at lower point than is usual even at
the present season of the year. the traf-
flc men of the industry expect to have
every dealer provided for before the ex-
hibition opens in New York
With the opening of the national
show on January Z, New York will be-
come the automobile headquarters Of
the world for the time being. for the
heads of most Of the leading motor car
companies Of the United States and
many from Europe will be on hand for
a series of conferences having to do
with variety of subjects affecting the