1969 Cadillac - GM Heritage Center
1969 Cadillac - GM Heritage Center
1969 Cadillac - GM Heritage Center
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75" SUPPLY AND DEMAND<br />
The demand for "75" cars is, of course, greatest upon new model introduction. However, there<br />
is a ceiling limiting the daily volume that can be produced so that although the highest rate is<br />
scheduled during the early months, it does not always meet demand.<br />
8 MONTH CYCLE<br />
Bodies for "75" cars are manufactured in a<br />
separate semi-custom plant devoted to low<br />
volume production.<br />
It also serves as a pilot plant for all General<br />
Motors new models starting about the middle<br />
of April each year.<br />
This is a distinct advantage to <strong>Cadillac</strong> and<br />
its dealers because it permits concentrating<br />
the production of a year's supply of "75" cars<br />
to about 8 months, while retaining a highly<br />
skilled work force by providing continuous<br />
year round employment.<br />
It also allows an advance "clean up" period<br />
compared to other cars.<br />
SALES PROMOTION<br />
<strong>Cadillac</strong> is very interested in promoting the<br />
sale of these prestigious top-of-the-line cars<br />
that actually have no domestic car competition.<br />
Therefore, manufacturing is scheduled to<br />
meet maximum demand periods within available<br />
production capacity.<br />
This explanation is offered for a better<br />
understanding of the objectives and limitations<br />
that affect the availability of the "75"<br />
Limousine and Sedan.<br />
TIME AND PRICE FACTORS<br />
The following are facts which are presented to prevent misunderstanding of the price for a<br />
special color interior, which in 1968 was $1700.00 and required a lead time of 3 to 4 months.<br />
SPECIAL HANDLING<br />
In addition to the basic cloth or leather,<br />
many other color-keyed components are required<br />
to produce a special color Fleetwood<br />
"75" interior. These range from injection<br />
molded vinyl to thread and buttons.<br />
Most of these special parts must be machine<br />
made on a one-time basis. This means that<br />
labor costs for setting up such machines to<br />
produce only one or two individual pieces become<br />
very costly.<br />
MACHINE SET UP<br />
For example, medium Gold, which is not a<br />
standard "75" interior color, will need a pair<br />
of air duct grille assemblies for installation in<br />
the headlining.<br />
These are molded rubber and to make them<br />
in Gold, regular production must be interrupted,<br />
the machine cleaned, Gold compound<br />
mixed and two pieces molded.<br />
After these are made, the machine must be<br />
re-cleaned for standard colors.<br />
PROCUREMENT OF A SINGLE<br />
PART INVOLVES MANY PLANTS<br />
Another example of the time and effort required<br />
to procure a part which has to be made<br />
special concerns an item called "windlace."<br />
This is a rope shaped, fabric covered, sponge<br />
rubber filler which is used as an air seal around<br />
each door.<br />
To secure this in a non-standard color, a<br />
small quantity of yarn in the proper color must<br />
be ordered from a mill in Carolina. This is then<br />
sent to a fabricating company in New England<br />
for weaving into a formed lace. Upon completion,<br />
it is shipped to the body assembly<br />
plant in Detroit.<br />
An occasional small order of this kind is, of<br />
course, not the "bread-and-butter" work of<br />
these plants and, therefore, has difficulty in receiving<br />
priority.<br />
Other such parts that require individual attention<br />
are assist straps on the rear pillars, the<br />
small door over the controls in the rear side<br />
arm rests, carpets, etc. A delay in any one of<br />
these will hold up production of the entire car.<br />
CONCLUSION<br />
If, notwithstanding these lead time and<br />
price considerations, a special color interior is<br />
to be ordered, please advise immediately the<br />
specifications wanted so that the ordering procedure<br />
may be started.<br />
"75" LEAD TIME<br />
Because more lead time is required to produce<br />
"75" cars, standard specification orders<br />
for each month's allotment should be submitted<br />
during the first third of the previous<br />
month.<br />
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