To help fleet users determine what is available to them in the way of 1963 fleet cars, Automotive Fleet asked the fleet managers of the major auto companies to comment on their new models.
While each fleet manager is promoting his own best interests-he is in the business of selling cars- their comments should prove valuable to the fleet user. All agreed that fleet sales represent a big chunk of business and that competition for that business is intense. There is also agreement that economic considerations play a major role in determining what portion each company gets of the fleet business. While styling is a factor in car choice, the fleet user is more interested in a competitive first cost, low operating expense, and minimum maintenance and down time and maximum resale value.
Emmett B. Lewis, director of the fleet section at General Motors Corp., told Automotive Fleet that fleet sales in 1963 should total about 400,000 units, or about seven per cent of the total domestic market next year.
To get its share of the fleet market, Lewis said that GM is not only expanding its lines of models and options to "meet more closely the fleet users' needs from the most basic transportation to the ultimate in luxury" but also putting even more stress on product quality and services to the user.
"It is not enough merely to build a good product," Lewis said. "It must be sold right, serviced right and provide the satisfaction the customer expects."
TRAINING CENTERS OPEN TO FLEETS
To assist fleet users, Lewis said, the 30 General Motors training centers located across the country are open to fleet personnel. Last year nearly 4,000 fleet user personnel received instruction in the GM centers, Lewis said.
At Chevrolet, J. W. Thayer, manager of Chevy's national fleet department, predicted that Chevrolet would increase its share of fleet business in 1963.
Thayer based his prediction on the 1963 lineup which includes the rear engine Corvair, the Chevy II and the standard-sized Chevrolet. In addition to the regular line, Chevy is again offering a complete line of police car packages, taxi options plus special equipment to meet specific fleet needs.
"We have constantly improved in every phase of fleet operation to insure complete customer satisfaction," Thayer said. "An expanded field organization, programs that keep dealers aware of these developments in the fleet area, modernization at the dealership level-all these are significant indications of the steps Chevrolet has taken to keep abreast of ever-expanding fleet consumer needs."
E. J. Chapman, national fleet sales manager for Pontiac, said that the styling and engineering changes in the new Pontiac and Tempest models should push fleet sales higher in 1963. Fleet sales during the 1962 model year were up 69 per cent over 1961.
Chapman said that the new Grand Prix model will be popular in three segments of the fleet market-for business executives, the luxury bracket of the rent-a-car market and for leasing to individuals.
The cast-iron 260 horsepower engine available on the Tempest will be offered to fleet users only with a special package to permit the use of regular grade gasoline.
Heavy duty equipment available for 1963, Chapman said, includes Delcotron diode rectified A.C. alternators for extra current requirements, along with the Pontiac Police Enforcer and taxicab options.
OLDS POLICE CARS
Oldsmobile's national fleet sales manager, E. A. Stanley, told Automotive Fleet that Olds is making available for police operations specially equipped cars in the Dynamic 88 and F-85 series. The Police Car-Cruiser, offered in both the Dynamic 88 and F-85, is designed for normal city police operations. Included in the Police Car-Cruiser equipment are special duty suspension and heavy duty Hydra-Matic transmission. A Police-Car Highway Patrol Rocket is especially suited for patrolling freeways and turnpikes, Stanley said.
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"The rapidly expanding fleet business requires a wide selection of models and numerous special options which allow fleet owners to equip their cars according to individual requirements," Stanley said.
The Buick Special made Buick a "real contender" in the volume fleet market, said Robert Blair, director of national fleet sales, in that it put Buick in the price range where most fleet cars are purchased. Accordingly, Buick is looking for substantial gains in the fleet market.
Blair said that Buick fleet sales in 1962 should rise about 52 per cent over a year ago with "another substantial increase" in 1963.
In addition to the 26 models offered in the regular Buick line, Blair said that Buick will offer three models with police options-a four-door sedan in the Special series and a two-door and four-door sedan in the LeSabre series.
FORD OUTLOOK
H. W. Cook, national fleet sales manager for the Ford division, sees a particularly good year for Ford fleet sales. In addition to the regular line and police and taxi options, Ford will offer a Galaxie 300 series specifically designed for fleet users.
While Cook feels that new car sales next year will decline slightly to 6,500,000 units, fleet sales should remain at about this year's level.
W. S. Milton, manager of leasing and fleet sales for the Lincoln-Mercury division, feels that the Mercury Meteor line, expanded to include station wagons and hardtops, will be a "strong contender" in the standard-size fleet market.
"We consider the Meteor to be a definite prestige leader in its class. "Reduced service requirements will contribute to its attractiveness as a fleet or leasing unit."
Heavy duty suspension, special electrical items and other optional equipment offered last year for the fleet user will be continued into the new model year on all Mercury models, Milton said. Increased performance options and special heavy duty equipment available on the Monterey series make it a "desirable police interceptor vehicle."
Milton said that he has been pleased with the Lincoln-Continental's performance in the leasing market and looks for further growth.
"The resale value of the Continental has kept pace with its leading competitor in many market areas and exceeded it in others," Milton said. "Significantly, we have scored our most dramatic fleet and leasing gains in those market areas where leasing has its strongest appeal. In other words, the appeal of the Lincoln-Continental to the fleet or leasing buyer is most pronounced in those market areas where competition is most severe."
Like other auto company fleet managers, Milton looks for continued growth.
"There is no reason to believe that the current trend of expansion will be reversed," Milton said. "Each year the number of independent leasing firms increase and the fleet requirements of industrial firms grow larger and more specialized."
Chrysler Corp., with a completely restyled and "sharply distinguished" product line, is looking for big gains in the fleet field in 1963, according to William J. Bird, director of fleet and government sales for Chrysler.
Chrysler will offer a complete array of special packages for fleet users, Bird said. For the fleet operator primarily interested in fuel economy, a manual shift transmission with a low gear ratio of 3.22:1 in combination with a 2.93:1 rear axle ratio will be offered on the 1963 Valiant and Dart. This combination provides maximum fuel economy for general purpose vehicles and has been expressly developed for fleets.
According to Bird, Dodge and Plymouth for 1963 will offer "built for the purpose" taxi tabs and police cars. In addition to special heavy duty seat cushions, seat backs, full vinyl trim and heavy duty suspension, they are available with a six cylinder overhead valve engine with chrome plated top piston rings; special economy carburetor; 40 ampere alternator, 70 amp. hour battery, heavy duty clutch assembly and linkage; heavy duty manual shift transmission; heavy duty eight cylinder automatic transmission and torque converter; and heavy duty wheels.
The heavy duty manual shift transmission, heavy duty automatic transmission and torque converter and heavy duty rear axle assembly in all six cylinder Dodge and Plymouth taxi cabs and police cars is an example of Chrysler Corp.'s interest in supplying the most durable units available to their taxi cab and police car customers," Bird said.
American Motors' fleet sales objective for 1963 is to reach a record 50,000 units, according to William B. Ramsey, director of government and fleet sales.
"We believe we can attain this goal with one of the finest model line-ups for fleet buyers ever offered by the company," Ramsey said. "With advanced new unit body construction resulting in a fresh new appearance and many major mechanical improvements, the 1963 Rambler line offers greater value and increased overall economy for the commercial, rental and lease fleet buyers."
For a clearer model line-up picture, Rambler has come up with new model designations for 1963. The deluxe, custom and 400 designations used last year have been replaced with an all-number code. American models are designated 220, 330, 440 and 440-H; the Classic, 550, 660 and 770; and the Ambassador 800, 880 and 990.
While 14-inch wheels are standard on the Classic and Ambassador, 15-inch wheels are available to all fleet users, Ramsey said.
John L. Duncan, fleet sales manager for Studebaker Corp., said that Studebaker has upgraded its entire 1963 car line, adding that "more items than ever before will be offered as standard equipment this year."
Standard features on all Studebaker cars include a padded instrument panel, a mirror and tray that slides from the glove compartment, two-speed electric windshield wipers and self-energizing bonded brakes.
"Lark taxis are built specifically for taxi purposes; they are not conversion jobs," Duncan declared. "A standard taxi and a suburban taxi with a retractable roof are both available."
Three different police models are available from Studebaker-the City Marshall, the Patrol Marshall and the Pursuit Marshall. All are powered with special police-built heavy duty engines.
Duncan said that the Wagonaire-with its slide open roof-is an ideal fleet vehicle with "sky's-the-limit cargo space."
"The Wagonaire is so versatile that all other station wagons are obsolete in comparison, Duncan said.
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