JOHN B. GELTZ, general manager of GM's Oldsmobile Division has stated that the division is "on schedule" with plans to produce its compact size car next fall as a 1973 model. Beltz also noted that "as this car evolves, a Wankel engine could go into it."

MASSACHUSETTS STATE OFFICIALS have ordered a 27.6 percent reduction, and proposed another 27.6 percent cut, in 1972 premium cost for compulsory bodily injury auto insurance. They attributed the reduction to the state's no-fault auto insurance payment system.

TWO FORD ASEMBLY PLANTS are about to see major production changes. Straight-time production rates at the Michigan Truck Plant in Wayne will be increased from 488 units a day to 600. Also, production schedules at the Dearborn Assembly Plant will be revised to include Maverick and Comet. This latter change reflects the increased demand for these two cars and the reduced demand for Mustangs and Cougars.

NATIONAL AUTO BROKERS CORP. (OTC), Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, national auto leasing franchisor, has agreed to acquire Consumer Auto Leasing Ltd., Pennsauken, N.J., privately owned franchisor of auto rental dealerships. The transaction involves exchange of an undisclosed amount of National Auto Broker's common stock for all Consumer Auto Leasing's outstanding shares.

DETROIT SAFETY ENGINEERS have been given an edict: seat belt ignition interlock system which prevents a car from starting if belts are not buckled, and which must be fool-proof and tamper-proof. Auto firms have been championing the interlock idea over air bags and feel if it is a resounding success, the industry may yet find a way of avoiding air bags.

ALL BIG THREE auto makers will be importing a small truck produced by Japanese manufacturers into the U.S. market, primarily on the West Coast, before the end of the current model year.

VOLKSWAGEN OFFICIALS have confirmed that the company will build a new small car in addition to the Beetle. The new car will have an engine capacity of less than 1,000 cubic centimeters and have front wheel drive and a water cooled engine.

ROBERT W. CRUST, American Motors' director of fleet and government sales, has announced the sale of 530 Matadors to the Los Angeles Police Department for an estimated $1.5 million. Matador qualified for the purchase after a series of tests for roadability and braking.

BUICK DEALERS now have the opportunity to participate in the new "Buick Service Rental Program," a plan under which they may rent cars to service customers. A spokesman for the division said that approximately 175 dealers are now participating and the number is expected to go between 500 and 1,000 by March.

A SPECIAL WARRANTY Program that covers leased and daily rental cars after they are resold to private owners is now being made available to fleet dealers throughout the country. The warranty, being introduced by Fleet Aid Corporation of New York, covers a vehicle's power train system for a period of 12 months or 12,000 miles after the used car is sold.

AN EXPERIMENTAL DEVICE called the Phystester is being developed by General Motors to help prevent most intoxicated motorists from driving. The device allows a driver to punch into its keyboard a random set of five numbers which it flashes briefly when he is read/ to start the car. If he fails all three tests, his engine will not start for some time.