AUTOS: New Price Policy

Chrysler dealers throughout the U.S. last week began setting their own retail prices, thus ditched price policies as old as the automobile industry itself. Heretofore the manufacturer has advertised "Delivered in Detroit" prices up & down the country. But now Chrysler ads will mention no prices. Distributors will buy their Chryslers, Dodges, De Sotos, Plymouths at fixed wholesale prices, sell them for whatever the traffic (and the competition) will bear.

The scheme is not new; Graham-Paige Motors tried it in 1940. Because of elastic used-car allowances, rebates, finance charges, etc., dealers have always helped set retail prices in fact. But...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!