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75" SUPPLY AND DEMAND
The demand for "75" cars is, of course, greatest upon new model introduction. However, there
is a ceiling limiting the daily volume that can be produced so that although the highest rate is
scheduled during the early months, it does not always meet demand.
8 MONTH CYCLE
Bodies for "75" cars are manufactured in a
separate semi-custom plant devoted to low
volume production.
It also serves as a pilot plant for all General
Motors new models starting about the middle
of April each year.
This is a distinct advantage to Cadillac and
its dealers because it permits concentrating
the production of a year's supply of "75" cars
to about 8 months, while retaining a highly
skilled work force by providing continuous
year round employment.
It also allows an advance "clean up" period
compared to other cars.
SALES PROMOTION
Cadillac is very interested in promoting the
sale of these prestigious top-of-the-line cars
that actually have no domestic car competi-
tion.
Therefore, manufacturing is scheduled to
meet maximum demand periods within avail-
able production capacity.
This explanation is offered for a better
understanding of the objectives and limita-
tions that affect the availability of the "75"
Limousine and Sedan.
TIME AND PRICE FACTORS
The following are facts which are presented to prevent misunderstanding of the price for a
special color interior, which in 1968 was $1700.00 and required a lead time of 3 to 4 months.
SPECIAL HANDLING
In addition to the basic cloth or leather,
many other color-keyed components are re-
quired to produce a special color Fleetwood
"75" interior. These range from injection
molded vinyl to thread and buttons.
Most of these special parts must be machine
made on a one-time basis. This means that
labor costs for setting up such machines to
produce only one or two individual pieces be-
come very costly.
MACHINE SET UP
For example, medium Gold, which is not a
standard "75" interior color, will need a pair
of air duct grille assemblies for installation in
the headlining.
These are molded rubber and to make them
in Gold, regular production must be inter-
rupted, the machine cleaned, Gold compound
mixed and two pieces molded.
After these are made, the machine must be
re-cleaned for standard colors.
PROCUREMENT OF A SINGLE
PART INVOLVES MANY PLANTS
Another example of the time and effort re-
quired to procure a part which has to be made
special concerns an item called "windlace."
This is a rope shaped, fabric covered, sponge
rubber filler which is used as an air seal around
each door.
To secure this in a non-standard color, a
small quantity of yarn in the proper color must
be ordered from a mill in Carolina. This is then
sent to a fabricating company in New England
for weaving into a formed lace. Upon com-
pletion, it is shipped to the body assembly
plant in Detroit.
An occasional small order of this kind is, of
course, not the "bread-and-butter" work of
these plants and, therefore, has difficulty in re-
ceiving priority.
Other such parts that require individual at-
tention are assist straps on the rear pillars, the
small door over the controls in the rear side
arm rests, carpets, etc. A delay in any one of
these will hold up production of the entire car.
CONCLUSION
If, notwithstanding these lead time and
price considerations, a special color interior is
to be ordered, please advise immediately the
specifications wanted so that the ordering pro-
cedure may be started.
" 7 5 " LEAD TIME
Because more lead time is required to pro-
duce "75" cars, standard specification orders
for each month's allotment should be sub-
mitted during the first third of the previous
month.
47
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