Evening star., 1932-11-20
WOULD HAVE SALES
LEAD PRODUCTION.
Automobile Manufacturers
Seek to Maintain Safe
and Sane Position.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
DETROIT, November 19.-Automobile
manufacturers are managing to main
tain safe and sane position in keeping
sales ahead of production. During Oc-
tober all the factories built 50,270 units
of all types including both passenger
cars and trucks.
During the same month the country
as a whole absorbed approximately g.
TOO new passenger cars alone, with COM
mercial car and truck sales reaching a
total of 14,600 units. Both figures are
based on estimates from official sources
and bear witness to an efficient year-end
cleanup, possibly the best that has
ever been made for the worst II months
the plants have ever experienced.
| One survey by the Chevrolet organ
! iZation shows new car stocks reduced to
an average Of less than three per dealer.
! Another made for the Rockne forces
shows a ratio of one and one-half cars
| to each dealer. 1t is conceded that this
places the distribution end in the best
position it has held since 1925. The
show rooms virtually are bare and are
awaiting receipt of the new 1888 models.
Seeking Early Start.
| Among other makes that will seek
early starts for next year are Chevrolet,
Nash, Graham and Continental Chew
rolet alone has scheduled manufacture
of $4,000 units before the end of the
year. These will go to more than 10000
dealers. including 800 new ones added
to the list since July and bringing the
representation back to par with 1929.
The tndustry's production program
! has been reinforced during the last
week by expansion to 1000 units a day
for the Plymouth six, which is being
revealed to the public this week. The
average marks rise from 500 cars
a day from one month ego. when the
assembly line began to turn cut the
finished cars
Both the Chevrolet and Plymouth op-
erations are to have 4 vital effect on
the II months production total, which
certain forecasterS haze said might
decline to 100000 units. Figuring in
the Chevrolet, Plymouth and other
makes now advancing their December
plans, the aforementioned guess may be
bettered and the volume to De chalked
up in the statistical column opposite
1882 may climb close to 100000.
The status Of free-wheeling still
oMAlSS III tl4S pdlaIlCS. Allc Ac"
Plymouth and Dodge skies retain the
principle and Forthcoming Chrysler
jobs may be expected to follow suit
Both Ford and Hudson, the latter in
the Essex "Terraplane" models, passed
1t up. During the course of this year
no less than IA models in various lines
of cars from low to high in the price
range have left free-wheeling out.
Another 1888 Trend.
Another trend for 1888 that will be
watched is one toward reducing the
multiplicity of body types with which
numerous makers have been overloaded.
This not long ago was the subject of
interfactory conferences. 1t was agreed
that too many body types added unduly
to manufacturing costs. The word was
passed back to production departments.
One result of it is apparent In the
Plymouth six new model range. The
initial showing is confined to four body
jobS-buSiness coupe, rumble seat coupe,
four-door sedan and convertible coupe.
The Plymouth four line, which is now
being replaced by the six, contained no
, less than IL body models under as many
different names and price differences,
according to finish and equipment.
Plant cost saved thereby helps to
hold list prices down.
Observers of the 1888 Plymouth will
note a wheelbaSe change from 1895
inches to lot inches, but the models
still remain full size" with head and
leg room as before. The interior body
dimensions have been preserved by a
change in engine mounting which
places the power plant closer to the
front of the chassis than before.
Division Of Opinion.
The corporate attitude on prices has
brought division of opinion in the
last two weeks. John North Willys,
over his signature, has declared that
the prices of cars still are too high.
Farm products, incomes, etc." he
says, have been reduced approximately
so per cent under the levels of 1929, but
the prices of automobiles selling under
$3.50 disclose reduction of only frac-
ton more than 4 per cent in the last
three years. This makes it evident that
the price to the consumer is still out of
range with current incomes"
The other side of the picture may be
seen in statement from Alvan
Macauley, Packard president, who said
that millions of dollars in dividends
have been sacrificed by American auto
mobile manufacturers in the last three
years In maintaining the high quality
of their products. He believes present
trade movements to sell quality, rather
than price, should be participated in by
every manufacturer in the country.
Quality weeks are the vogue in
many cities today" he adds. 1.-THE pub
lie is becoming tired of buying prices.
It is turning back to quality. Hence
the concerted move now on foot to ac-
celerate the swing Of goods built up to
standard and not down to price.
Longer life has been built into au-
tomobiles, along with greater ceftainty
of operation and lower costs Of upkeep.
Today's cars go to the repair shop less
frequently than those Of previous years"
(Copyright, 1882, by North American News
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