The Van Nuys News from Van Nuys, California • Page 32

8-i-Centra! 8-B-Bur. 8-B-North 8-B-Weit 8-B-Eait Van Nuys 4, 196ft CM Chiefs Predict Excellent Year for Retail Auto Sales The high level of demand for automotive products in recent months reinforces General Motors' confidence that 1968 will be an excellent year, GM Chairman James M. Roche said in Detroit. Roche was speaking at the 60th 'annual meeting of GM stockholders, along with president N. Cole, at Detroit's Cobo Hall.

"Assuming a continuation of the basic strengths in the national economy and consumer confidence, we believe that the 1968 industry sales of motor vehicles we forecast in December at 10,750,000 units appears fully attainable. This would include 9,000,000 passenger cars," Roche said, Jfote Income Rise He pointed out that while some of the uncertainty which characterized the 1967 automotive market is still "very much in evidence," one of the most important reasons for GM's confidence in 1968 "is that the economy is not only running at a substantially higher level than in 1967 but is on an upward trend." "Consumer income is rising and real income after taxes, allowing for higher prices, has reached a record level," the GM continued. "In addition to rising income, consumers began the year in a 'strong financial position. By standards the saving rate last year was high. Thus, U.S.

consumer purchasing power appears to be large enough to absorb an income tax surcharge and support or even improve on the sales rate attained thus far in 1968." Retail Sales Increase Roche noted that the of high and rising eales evident at the end of 1967 had continued in 1968. Cole reminded the stockholders that General Mo- tors' high percentage of total new car retail sales in this country in recent years has been sustained for the longest period in the history of the corporation. "In the period from 1958 through 1961," he said, "GM's average percentage (of new car retail sales of U.S. makes) was below Following the introduction of the intermediate lines Pontiac Tempest, Olds F-85 and Buick Special in the fall of 1960, GM's percentage increased to 'and has remained above that level with 54.7% being recorded in 1967." said Cole. "Total industry sales in the fourth quarter of 1967 were affected by the labor situation.

Even if there had been no strikes in 1967, we estimate that GM's percentage would have been about a gain of one point over 1966," he added. Welcomes Competition Cole described this continuing sales achievement as one "resulting from outstanding product offerings and effective merchandising year after year." Both Roche and Cole discussed the competitive aspects of the motor vehicle industry, domestic 'and import. Roche said few industries are as competitive as the motor vehicle industry, adding that "this philosophy of free competitive enterprise has also determined our approach to international trade." Ask Fairer Tariff "We have not sought protection from the competition of imported vehicles," he continued. "On the contrary, General Motors has supported the efforts of our government to reduce national barriers to trade and the free flow of investment funds across national boundaries." Roche said the tariff on passenger cars coming into the United States was 6.5% prior to 1968 and is currently a "nominal 5.5%" a rate applied to the factory price of the oar excluding the cost of shipment to this country. Under the Kennedy Round Agreement, the tariff will be further reduced reaching over a five-year period, he added.

"We believe that vehicles produced in the United States should have the same unrestricted access to overseas markets that imports into the United States now enjoy." he said. "We are far from this goal today and will still be far from this goal when the agreed Kennedy Round reductions in overseas tariffs take effect. "Unlike the United States, foreign countries for many years have imposed a great variety of nontariff barriers in the form of special fees and taxes which discriminate against the types of cars produced in the United States. With strong and resourceful motor vehicle manufacturers in many overseas countries, it is difficult to find any justification for the continuation of such discriminatory trade barriers," said Roche. Studies Continued Noting that the volume of imported small cars entering this country continues to increase, Roche declared that GM intends to be highly competitive in any market in which it participates in the U.S.

or overseas long as the opportunity and the potential for successful competition are available to us." He said that new and better products, including all alternative ways to compete with imported cars, are under constant intensive study. Automotive NEWS VIEWS MOTOR TRAVEL KAJtPH CONRAD, Automotive Editor HANDSOME Montego MX, Mercury intermediate wagon, lane highway that speeds ascent to nearly mile-high setting. Wag- adds to scenery at beautiful Lake Arrowhead in San Bernardino on is richly appointed inside and out, perfect combination for va- Mountains, more easily reached now over new stretches of four- cation driving for those seeking comfort and performance. FOR VACATION, OR SHORT TRIP Lofty Lake Arrowhead Retains Serene Beauty By RALPH CONRAD Automotive Editor Despite the many man made lakes that are being developed in Southern California, none--so far, at least--approach the sheer beauty of Lake Arrowhead. Situated in a near natural bowl surrounded by lofty pines at mile-high elevation it is a difficult one to duplicate, let alone surpass.

Homes, many of super-elegant, are -----tucked among the trees and Lake Arrowhead Country Right now is as good a hidden from long views. Club, a rather exciting de- time as any to visit places And the curving shoreline velopment in itself but like Lake Arrowhead. While hides what developments over the ridge from the "wintertime activities are in- BY DICK-BOB-RON I AUTO CIRCLES New to the Valley Is Carl Bucky Motors at 16747 Ventura in Encino. Location is revamped facilities oi Falph Williams Import lot Celebrating fifth year in Encino are Sam Grey and Sandy 3Ioss of Sim Motors "Eon Perry, sales rep at Pollard Ravenscroft agency used to sit in sax section with some of the big name bands until a collapsed lung made it impossible to continue. So he switched to selling Chevrolets and he says the hum of a sporty Camaro is pretty sweet music, too Paul Ladin of Wilkins Pontiac says reports of his going Into business with his brother are not true.

Retraction, herewith An early start on vacations was kicked off last week with Dino Gi'ossi, used car manager at. Guy Martin Oldsmobile, taking a week end with the wife in Palm Springs' 115 degrees star salesman Ed Barron, of Canoga Park Ford, departed for a month-long rest in Europe At last look Cole Tounger's crew was leading the pack at the swinging Jay Walker Dodge dealership in Canoga Park You know the vacation season has arrived when you see all the action at Treat and Chiarello's big Open Road camper store in Tarzana Tony Sanncci is ready to roll on his new VW store in Reseda with considerable renovation of the former Guy Martin Oldsmobile facility on Van- owen Denys, of Canoga Park Ford, has completed a six-day course in retail selling at the Ford Marketing Institute in San Francisco. The Guy Martin Oldsmobile sales staff enjoyed a night with the Dodgers vs. Giants Saturday night, with their wives. The reward was for an outstanding sales effort i May by the crews, captained by Mel Alsbnry ar Wait Meyer.

The winners ate in the Stadium Club: the losers enjoyed hot dogs is the bleachers. G.M. Carl Matisse drove the bus for the happj- gang. DODGE PICKUP BECOMES "SCAT PACKER' 7 Truck counterpart of Dodge's famous Seal Pack pcrformamc are, Vvitji black bumble br-r is this pir kup rusiormzpd for auto shows by Detroit firm. Its D-100.

v.ub maximum GVW of 5.200 pounds was into gleaming show I i by aridmc idr running; lights, chrome bumper? and grille, burkft ca1s. vnr, 1 trp srd lonnr-jn cover, yellow Jartjiaei arid mag Options) vs nig me pio- idr? go power, but cu-toniizeri embellishments include bor insignia, pivp "Scat power of its own to keep auto show crowd? buzzing. A I one sees, in a short drive- away. This is not to say that things are status-quo at the longtime popular lake resort. Possibly no period in its history has been more packed with development.

Yet at no other period, either, was it more apparent that Lake Arrowhead is not for everybody, for as time goes on, it becomes more and more an exclusive thing, a playground for the more affluent. At least it seems that way, on a casual drive- through. Offer Shore Propertips The North Shore has always been the most exclusive, with many chateau- like homes of great character and grounds. Narrow and unannounced roads lead off main roads and wind among them, and past almost secluded inlets with docking facilities. Lake Arrowhead Development present owners of the lake and thousands of surrounding acres, is stepping things up with the re- Jease of lakeshnre property, first offered since The new West Shore project has all the appearance of rivaling the prestige North Shore, with a limited selection of lakefront settings.

phis lake view and view estate sites. Yirvrs "Worth Drive This area will soon be quickly accessible from nearby Blue -lay with a brand new highway that will also ran past the new THRILL OF RACE EXPERIENCED BY CORTINA DRIVERS Visitors to the Ford Cortina exbjhii at Auto Expo "fiS. at the Sports Arena which continues through will experience tiie thrills of driving a high speed race car on an internationally famous road course, "A feature of the Cortina exhibit will be a Ford Cortina racing 1 simulator developed by Lotus of En- to train racinc said Rnttald Plan, imported vehicles manager of Ford Division. Our CTests -will br driving an rprn mi a hich sprrrl course." 1 psrtinpant sit in firi a i i formula Ford Omnix or" n--AhT'l race r-ir p-vinv-rl by 3 O.IT fvhndf cncinr the orjf powers the for- ir Trued lake. Homesites will become available this year facing the fifth and sixth holes.

A further development is soon to be offered in the South Shore region of the lake near Cedar Glen. The Alpine Village area remains much the same as in past years, and most of the week end visitors gather here. It is worth the trip to just drive around this mountain- lake bit of paradise. If the intent is only to view, there are many areas for this purpose at low and high points. Ford to Use Computerized Auto Controls The switch is on to solid- state circuitry for some Ford Motor Company 1969 model cars.

Reliability of such features as automatic speed controls and sequential turn signals will be improved by the changeover from elec- iro-mechanical electronic components. Similarly redesigned to electronics will be such units as the voltase regulator offered with certain big V-S engines and interval selector windshield wipers. The brain of Ford's re- 11 announced auto- linear skid-control braking system to be optional on the 3969 Thunderhird and Continental Mark III is a paperback book size computer mounted under the glove compartment. The new optional automatic speed control which will debut with solid-state components in the 19fi9 Ford and Mercury offers an example of the performance advantage to he gained. "Tbr electromechanical components used before worked satisfactorily hut we think the solid-state system is belter, 1 said John'A.

Betti. chief engineer --car electrical systems engineering for Ford's car engineer- inn office. "For one ihins: the use of solid-stale sj stems a simpler design. In the 1hi: mean? a new micTorlerrronir amplifier whirh eliminates creasing here, the crowds pack in during summertime and vacation periods. Luxury Wagon Used With this in mind, this trip was made 10 days ago on the wheels of what turned out to be one of the more pleasing automobiles of the year, the Mercury Montego MX Station Wagon.

This new intermediate- sized wagon, the only one this year produced by Lincoln-Mercury Division besides the larger Colony Park. contains about all the luxury a person could want, really, and it drives like a passenger car. Handsome in style, it is attractively set off with simulated wood-grain inserts on the lower body and tailgate panel. Style Xot Overdone It has, possibly, more style appeal than any wagon yet produced by the Ford Motor Co. There is nothing "overdone" in this model, with a minimum of style gimmicks to mar its clean flow.

As functional as any, it drives and handles about as well as any passenger car of same size and weight. A combination of driving this model to a place like Lake Arrowhead is quite a way to spend a week end! ORGANIZE CAMARO CLUB New club for Valley Camaro owners is being formed at Baher Chevrolet in Northridge headed by Ben Kaplan, right. First member to join is Jim Fisher, left, of Sepulveda. Organization -will meet in special room set aside at dealership, which also will furnish refreshments for the group. Valley Camaro owners wishing to join may telephone Kaplan at 360-1011 for details.

Fiat Reports '68 Sales In Southland Doubled Fiat doubled its auto sales in Southern California for the first four months of 1968, compared with a year ago, it had been announced today by Robert Pritchard, Western Regional Manager of Fiat-Roosevelt Motors. The steadily increasing demand for the Italian made Fiats, along with recent introductions of new model 124 Coupes and Spiders, is expected to boost retail sales in Southern California even higher fo the first six-month period of Pritchard said. Pritchard attributed the recent sales gain primarily to Fiat's exciting trend setting styling concepts from Italy, which is acknowledged as the world automotive st3 le center. In addition, he said that Southern Californians are increasingly recognizing Fiat's excellence in performance and handling, its high factor and low economic upkeep, and its quality construction and reasonable size and initial cost. space a A And the nrv desien rmiis the all frnecrtip in the steerine -ahecl crnss said Belli.

Auto Personality OF THE WEEK PARKINSON Bttrbank Ctr. There is hardly any doubt that -15m Parkinson, owner of Burbank Sports Car Center, knows his products. An early sports car owner and enthusiast, he became an expert mechanic and continued the interest as a racing driver of national fame for a dozen years. During his racing career IIP won hundreds of i Among his victories are a score at Scoring and many records rn various tracks that have only been beaten in the last couple of years. Mobil Economy run in run for small car imports.

the same A he won the separata as.