Evening star., 1936-09-13

ishing for the last six months that;
there is nothing like the appearance OF
q race to be first on the market. Stocks
Of 1886 cars are depleted to such an
extent that manufacturers come right
out and mention "our coming new
models" a rarely heard phrase at this
time of the year in other seasons.
A company formerly identified only
with heavy cars had made plans for
its new six more than half year
ago and found convenient occasion,
therefore. to introduce its whole 1887
line with the additional member OF
its family. Another manufacturer,
strengthening its dealer organization,
sought to furnish new selling units
with strong sales weapon for the
early Fall. These two corporations,
therefore, found themselves in the
front line for the parade of 1887
models.
Most of the companies appear to be
taking steps toward production of their
new lines in stride. And in most
cases, they will time their output
simply for good distribution of the
new cars on the eve of the New York
show.
A leading low-priced car-maker Is
still in production on 1896 cars and
apparently will be one of the last to
swing over to next years models.
September is likely to be one of the
first months in a long time when the
two best known automobiles change
output positions. The fact that the
most productive factory has been
closed recently for inventory and pre-
model changes will furnish the rum
ner-up the opportunity to reduce by
many thousands the gap that has
grown up during the last nine months
between these two pacemakers in the
low-priced field.
7 Asst year the maker now tagging
was one of the first manufactur-
ers to present a new line. This year
there seems less disposition at Dear
born to be concerned with inmedi-
ate changes. The organizations deal
ers are still moving 1896 models at
a satisfactory rate. The word has
already been passed around that this
manufacturer expects to make few
radical changes for 1887. The plan
at Dearborn apparently provides for
a quick shift over to next years line,
probably in October.
Another long established company
is rushing to completion $1,500,000
in new buildings to be used in the
manufacture of its 1887 cars. An
entirely new transmission plant is be-
ing built, with capacity of 10000
transmissions a month. A new heat
treating building is also being erected.
Another new building is under way
to house the master mechanics divi-
sion, the works engineering division
and the metallurgical and standards
departments.
Installation of equipment has been
started to fit second new plant for
1887 production. More than 100000
pounds of giant presses and stamp
ing machines have been set up, while
added carloads of equipment are be-
ing set up daily.
At Toledo reorganized automobile
new cars that will be introduced early |
in November Orders are already on |
hand for 47,000 of the 1887 models, |
according to David r. Wilson, presi- |
dent Of the company. The revamped |
management has announced no in |
tention of departing from the four
cylinder field, where it was most |
successful in earlier years. With new |
capital in the corporation, tentative
schedule of $4,000 cars has been
mapped out for 1887.
Changes in his factory layout are !
expected to provide for so per cent |
increase in capacity for 1887, accord !
ing to the president of the smaller,
Independent corporation. Assembly |
and conveyor lines throughout the
plant are being rerouted and extended
to total length of nearly two miles.
Additions are being made also to the
railroad receiving and shipping ia
cilities. Like other companies, this
concern reports a thorough cleanup
Of its current models to make way
for the 1887 cars. Reports to many
dealer stocks have been so well re-
duced that many of the dealers, in
the absence of new cars between now
and November l, will concentrate on
their used-car sales.
In the first place, to cut into the
bank of used cars on hand will put
the dealer in good position for
deals involving trade-ins, once the
movement of new models starts from
the factory Secondly, a drive on
used cars will permit the dealer to
clean out stocks before the cold
months arrive, normally the hardest
for the used-car seller.
"A QUESTION frequently asked of
motor club officials is: What
should be the daily maximum mileage
Of a motorist on a vacation trip.
The query, says George Keneipp,
manager of the keystone Automobile
Club, is provocative, but one to which
there appears to be no specific answer.
Too many variableS are involved for
any one to attempt to fix maximum
daily mileage figure that would be de-
1ensible, Keneipp believes.
1.-TWO motorists, for instance" says
Mr.. Keneipp, might have cars be-
tween which there would be a diff
ference of five or six years in age.
They might travel, the one over the
highest type of highway, the other
over a road which has merely been
graded and graveled. One car owner
might be young and capable of the
physical endurance associated with
youth, while the other might be q
person Of advanced years and in
capable of sustained physical
effort.
I'm the face of these differences in