The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-10-18

Sloan ern techn q u e
products un.
dreamed of by our forefathers have
been brought into being, and placed
within the reach of every one. But
as a result of large scale operations
and more worldwide distribution
producer and consumer have be-
come more and more widely sepa-
rated, so that the matter of keep
ing a business senSitively in tune
with the requirements of the ulti-
mate consumer becomes matter
of increasing Importance.
Seeks to Bridge Gap
Through consumer research, Gen.
eral Motors aims to bridge this gap
and provide guidance not only with
reference to details of design but
as regards public relations, advertis-
ing, sales, service-in fact, every
thing affecting our customer rela-
tons, directly or indirectly.
For a number of years General
Motors has maintained a central
staff to conduct various types of
market surveys, and the findings
of such surveys have contributed in
no small measure to the progress
of the corporation. During the last
two years this activity has been
pursued along more exhaustive lines
than formerly, constituting what
might be termed a proving ground
of public opinion devoting itself to
the finding of facts as regards the
attitudes of the practical motorist
toward various aspects Of merchan-
dising and Service-all of which are
vitality important as bearing on Gus
toner good will and continued pat
ronage," asserted Mr.. Sloan.
From more recent information
coming from the consumer research
department, which is headed by H
P. Weaver, the consumer study re-
ferreG to by Mr. Sloan, at least for
this year, is near completion-and
is said to be the hroadest thing of
its nature ever attempted by any
organization in an effort to find out
the public's tastes in the construc-
ton of automobiles.
Booklet Issued
To give more comprehensive un-
derStandings Of the tremendous pro-
portions Of this program, an
illustrated booklet covering every
present day design of each particu-
lar feature and important part OF
an automobile, generally of specific
interest to a prospective buyer, has
been individually treated on a
separate page. Opposite each OF
these designs is a blank block to be
checked in accordance with his OF
her particular preference.
For example, on one page several
reproductions of modern body styles
are shown. While on another are
illustrations Of radiators, ranging
from plain V shaped ones, to v
shaped ones with scooped bottom
and ones with rounded fronts.
In fact, an ordinary blank chart is
left for those desiring to fill in theil
own fancied conception as to what
would look smart in radiator design
on future automobiles. On still an
other, various types of wheel designs
are listed, with ample space reserved
for opinions from those perusing the
QUESTIONABLE.
All Features Covered
Through this method, every i'm.
portant part and feature of a mod
ern automobile has been covered
from body, tire and wheel design
right straight through to exterior
color combinations and interior UP.
holstery designs. One of the page:
toward the end of this booklet i.
devoted to the design and types O.
motors preferred. That is, whether
four, six, eight, twelve or sixteen.
cylinder job, in line or v shaped.
1t is said that General Motor.
contemplateS covering every section
OF the country (and in all proba.
bility the same goes to a certain de.
gree in many foreign countrieS)
with this fact-finding program.
Moreover. this doesn't seem ont
bit unreasonable or unlikely upor
learning that during the last yea
this organization invited more thar
100000 motorists to pool their prac
teal knowledge with the technica
skill of General Motors engineer:
to assist them in producing TIT
very type automobiles the public