Postwar Postponed

General Motors last week shelved plans for the first "real postwar" G.M. cars--1948 models of Chevrolets, Pontiacs and Oldsmobiles. G.M. President Charles E. Wilson said that G.M. had canceled its orders for dies for 1948 models because strikes and shortages have put G.M. production so far behind schedule. As far as G.M. was concerned, 1948 would be a blank year for low-priced cars; the next such models would be 1949 (out in the fall of 1948).

Some reasons for dropping the models: 1) a complete model change costs G.M. $57 to $75 million, and 2) G.M. was betting that the car-hungry nation would buy all the cars G.M. could produce in the next two years, regardless of model.

G.M.'s Cadillac and Buick divisions still plan to bring out 1948 models some time and all G.M. divisions will bring out their 1947 models early next year. They will be practically the same as 1946 models (only changes: "identification" changes in radiator grilles and decorations). G.M. still has time to change its mind on 1948 models, if competitors force it to.

Nash and Hudson were planning to produce 1947 models early next year and completely new 1948 models some time next fall. Ford was considering skipping 1947 models entirely and bringing out a 1948 model late next year. Packard already had the dies for a 1948 model, "new from the tires up," planned to introduce it early next fall. Studebaker, now producing the first real postwar car, planned to continue making it until 1948 or later. Chrysler, which had carefully labeled its present models "postwar automobiles" instead of 1946 models, had nothing further to say.

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