Evening star., 1934-05-20
DROP
AUTO TRADITIONS
Advantage Seen in Change
Developed in Years
Since 1929.
Rv the Associated Press,

BY the Associated Press.
DETROIT, May 19.-The men who
design and build motor cars have
learned, out of the experiences OF the
years since 1929, apparently, that
precedent and tradition are definitely
things of the past in SO far as they
might be used in an effort to foretell
the future demand for certain types
of automobiles or preference for a
distinctive type of any integral part
Of it.
BY some of the producers and sales
directors this development is looked
upon as an advantage Each year, they
say, certain amount of machinery
and number of practices have to be
discarded. Sometimes these are fac
tory practices and not infrequently
customs that have been more or less
deeply rooted in sales procedure. In
any event, the executives believe, their
abandonment usually has led to de-
velopment of newer and better meth
DDS of manufacture and distribution.
Until the 1929 debacle, tradition and
precedent were vital factors in most
moves made by the industry. Many
innovations, of course, were made in
the way of mechanical improvements
and changes in body appearance, and
still are being made as competition
and a changing public taste develops.
Ihere no longer is heard either in
manufacturing circles or distribution
quarters OF the motor industry, how
ever, the remark that I'VE can't do
that; its contrary to all the traditions
ana precedentS of automotive build
ing and merchandising.
1t formerly was one of the customs
OF the industry to bring out new
models in Midsummer after the Spring
ruSh had subSided. This custom has
peen discarded, and for the last sew
eral years new models have come out
at the year end. While this change
resulted, to some extent, in maintain
ing employment in Midwinter it also
enabled motor car manufacturers to
take fullest advantage of whatever con-
sumer demand might carry over after
Ihe spring and Summer peak re-
qulrementS had been passed
II old not serve to any marked
extent, however, to fully take up
SLACK employment over the l2-month
period, and the industry's executives
still are pondering proposals intended
to do away entirely with Seasonal
unemployment.
Inc practice of permitting the re-
taller to shift entirely for himself
which marked the years immediatelv
preceding 1929, also has been def
nltely discarded. At no time since
tne producer was his own salesman
mas tnere been as close co-operation
between manufacturer and distributor
as exists at present. Moreover. the
policy of producing only as many cars
as are sure to be sold-the industry
Terms 1t controlled production"-also
mas relieved the retailer of much of
the hazard that attended the mer-
cnandlSing Of motor vehicles. This
apparently is one of the newer prac-
tees destined to become a tradition
In the industry.
Another practice that has gone
lnto the scrap heap is the bidding
by retailers against each other on
used cars offered as part payment on
the purchase of new vehicles. The
condemnation of the National Auto
mobile Chamber of Commerce helped
to eliminate large part of this prac-
tice, and what was left of it was re-
moved entirely by the code of fair
practice for the used-car trade.
Viewed either from the standpoint
OF the manufacturer or the retailer,
a goodly number Of new traditions"
appear to be in the making through.
out the industry.