CHRYSLER has taken the lid off their guarantee value plan for all Chrysler, Plymouth, and Dodge models. Previously they had announced that they would guarantee the resale value of certain models up to specific percentage limits of comparable cars by the other manufacturers. Chrysler spokesmen advised that due to the presence of such equipment as disc brakes and larger engines as standard equipment of other manufacturer's cars, further equalization of value for Chrysler products was needed for their customers and dealers. "With the percentage limitation off our guarantee value, we are once again dealing in apples and apples when we discuss resale prices," a Chrysler official told AF ...

TRANSPORTATION CONSULTANTS, INC., a Denver based firm, is seeking approval from Ford and Chrysler for drop shipments of new cars into their technical center for new car preparing and warranty work. According to Ray Bellows, president of the firm, TCI lists among its customers such leasing companies as Gelco, C.I.T., and Donlon. Under the arrangement TCI is seeking with Ford and Chrysler, it would do only propping and pre-delivery warranty work. Once the car was delivered, regular service and warranty work would be done by local dealers ...

FORD FLEET SALESMEN report that most of the big leasing companies are now breaking free and placing orders for '71 models. As one fleet sales manager advised AF, "They just can't afford to wait any longer for GM fo settle that strike-so I'm picking up a lot of GM customers."

THE ONE BANK HOLDING BILL, which could seriously affect the leasing industry, passed the Senate despite predictions that it would die in committee. The bill will now be returned to a joint House-Senate committee.

WILLIAM COTNER has resigned as general manager of National Truck Leasing System. Marguerite L. Melander has been appointed acting general manager to fill the vacancy.

HERTZ emphatically denies that it will acquire an auction in the Chicago area. A Hertz official told AF, "There is no truth at all to the rumor-it's just one of those stories that pops up periodically."

THE STANDARD OIL COMPANY has slated a new lead-free gas for the market in November.

VOLKSWAGENWERK, is working closely with Germany's Federal Minister of Transport to develop a safety car in the 1,000 KG weight category which can withstand a front collision at 50 mph without serious injuries to occupants.

COMMERCIAL CREDIT'S QUARTERLY REPORT features a prediction that the economy will experience a general recovery led by the consumer which could stretch into 1972. Further, it forecasts annual sales of new cars for 1971 at over 9 million units.

DOT may be backing down on the stiff air-bag regulations that they had previously proposed. In a DOT bulletin, the department announced a broadening of interim measures available to the automakers until such time as they are able to come up with a workable passive restraint system ...

IN A RADICAL DEPARTURE from past practice, the State of New York recently advertised for bids to supply state vehicles. Low bidder to supply the nearly 800 vehicles was to be determined late in the last week of October, Bill Cullen of the New York State Purchasing Office told AUTOMOTIVE FLEET at press time. Cullen said more bids than expected (25 to 30) had been received from the various zones into which the state had been divided and more time than anticipated would be required to check them for deviations, etc.