Evening star., 1938-03-13

year find the factories at high level
production. The fact that January
and February this year have fallen far
below that point is not regarded by
observers as materially handicapping
producers should demand later this
year require a stepping UP o. factory
activity to the levels reached last year.
Production programs still are the most
flexible things the motor car industry
has to deal with, every producer being
IN position to step up assembly line
activity on short notice. Besides the
relief obtained through the campaign
to start the accumulation of used cars
moving again into users possession,
the industry generally expects new car
demand inspired by the coming of
spring months to be reflected in a
measurable upturn OF factory activity.
New-car assemblies for the first two
months Of the current year approxi-
mated 465, 900 units. During the same
period year ago they aggregated
about 100000. A year ago, however,
there was an accumulation of de-
mand resulting largely from dealer
shortages that followed the labor diff
culties of that period. This year the
industry found itself with an ac-
emulation of used cars, that irked
1t from the time the current models
were introduced
Reports gathered from the various
centers participating in the industry's
National Used-Car Exchange Week"
that ended today indicate the l,250,-
600 advertising campaign brought re-
suits whose effect should be felt for
several weeks to come. One of the re-
suits, the manufacturers and dis
tributors pointed out, was in a bet
ter understanding of the used-car
market and its part in the general
merchandising scheme.
Stimulated by cheering reports on
National Used-Car Exchange Week as
we'll as increased activity in the new
car sales field, production of cars
and trucks in the United States and
Canada during the week ending March
IL will rise to 56.557 units, according
to Automotive Daily News midweek
survey of the industry.
While complete results of the used
car drive will not be available until
next week, several car makers have
bumped operations this week, partly
because of early reports on the drive
and partly due to somewhat heavy
accumulations of new-car orders as
the anticipated spring upturn gets
under way. Other plants are defer
ring speeded operations until more
detailed reports are available on the
current used-car drive, with likeli-
hood that an appreciate upturn in
production will be forthcoming in the
near future.
Noticeable production increases are
reported this week in Chrysler and
General Motors divisions Chrysler.
which has rearranged working sched-
ules, has bumped operations generally
to an average four days, while Pontiac
has upped its rate from two to four
days in its home plant.
For the week, Chrysler divisions ex-
pect around 1880 units, compared
with revised total of 10000 units last
week and only 1900 vehicles last year
when sitdown strikes began. OF this
total, Plymouth expects about $500
jobs, Dodge around 5000, Chrysler
approximately 1900 and De Soto
around 1.100.
General Motors divisions plan 23,-
064 units currently, as against 21,927
last week and 49,490 last year. Chev-
rolet. on an average three days, should
get about 10000 jsbs; Buick has 1914
units carded; Pontiac expects 1900;
Oldsmobile plans 1850 and Cadillac
La Sale projects about 500.
Ford, still on breather, is up slightly
to a projected l0,500; while Lincoln
and Lincoln Zephyr. back in full tilt
after weeks rest, should produce
about SIS units.
The independents continue to main
tain previous schedules, with Packards
planned 1900 units again out in front.
Studebaker follows with 1,l48. Hudson
with 800 and Nash with 100. The mis-
cellaneous group should again account
for about 5000 units during the week.
A decrease in the average high ad-
vertised used car prices from 1853 to
S555 Is shown in A. D. MS current
Used Car Index, including all makes
OF cars and covering the major mar
kets. The average low price, however.
is slightly higher this week, Comparing
$500 with S495 last week.