The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-12-15
CarOutput FarBehind

Detroit, Dec. 15-(UP)-The na- tion's motoring public and commer- cial haulers faced small chance to- day Of replacing badly worn vehicles in the near future Reconversion troubles and labor disputes allowed only a trickel of new cars and trucks to flow from assembly lines.
 A United Press survey of auto- mobile and truck manufacture showed that production so far in 1945 is only small fraction of the scheduled 500,000 units. Lack of materials, combined with strikes, put the industry far behind earlier expectations.
 Present production was estimated at about 1000 units weekly, com pared with more than 130,000 cars and trucks each week during the pre-war period.
 Hampers Other Producers
 The General Motors strike not only stopped production by the largest manufacturers of cars and trucks but also considerably ham, pered efforts of small producers, several Of which have been ready to swing into full output for several months.
 Strikes among independent pro- ducers of auto and truck parts, both large and small firms, also have caused considerable delay. Ford Motor Company officials reported that their production was not up to schedule mainly because of la bor troubles in Is other automotive parts firms.
 Borg-Warner of Chicago, one of the principal transmission makers, has been idle for 10 weeks because of a labor walkout. Strikes also have tied up the main producers of glass for automotive uses.
 Lack Rubber
 Several manufacturers reported inability to obtain sufficient indus trial rubber for full-time output. There also was lack of special steels, such as are used in bumpers. Other critcial items included bear ings, crankshafts and connecting rods.
 A steel industry strike, set for Jan. IA, would complicate matters further. The threatened walkout added blue note [ othe earlier optimism of some manufacturers about 1946 production.
 Half of the nations 1946 cars so far have been produced by Ford, ref1ecting the best record in the in- dustry. Company officials said more than 25000 cars have been made by Ford since July 3.
 Truck Production Up
 The production status of the ma- jor car makers follows:
 FORD - Production estimated at gro units daily, including 800 Fords, 15O Mercurys and 20 Lincolns. More than 50,000 trucks built since Jan. l. Production of cars by Dec. 31 probably will be about half of the scheduled 75,0O0.
 PACKARD-Output varies from 25 to 100 cars daily, on a produc- ton goal of 10000 annually. Two assembly lines were readied but only one is being used.
 NASH = Started production Oct 26 and up to Nov. 30, the cimpany had turned out 3,180 units. Decem- Der production may reach 60O0 units toward an annual output of 150,O0O cars.
 HUDSON-About 4,O00 units pro- duced since Aug. 30 when assembly lines started. Delayed five weeks by foremen's strike. Lack of parts further delayed production. Experts to start Monday producing about 120 cars daily.
 CHRYSLER-No volume produc- tion because of lack of parts. As sembly line production may not start until negotiations with JAW CIO, now underway, are completed.
 GENERAL MOTORS = No pro- duction since strike started Nov. 21
 WILLYS-OVERLAND - Produc- | tion of commercial jeeps suspend ed because of lack of parts. Off, | cials reported 2,0OO jeeps produced | so far, whereas plans called for | 5000 Orders were on hand for 30,- 900 units.
 STUDEBAKER- Assembly lines | not in operation, due mainly to lack of transmissions, but have been ready to produce since Oct. 1.
 All manufacturers reported that their figures "could change" at any moment, raising the hopes of mil lions of motorists.