U.S. auto industry still struggling Short term prospects unsettled DETROIT (UPI) - By 1982 or 1983, it's generally agreed, cars and trucks will be selling at a terrific clip. But what happens during the next few months - a time period hard-pressed dealers and laid off workers are most concerned about - is anybody's guess. The best that cah be said now about the domestic auto said Arvid Jouppi, senior vice president and auto industry analyst for the John Muir Co. “It was quick lift followed by back to reality.” That left 1981 model sales down 4 percent from the same period last year - much better than the dropoff of 22 percent for 1980 as a whole. An upward sales trend has creasing speeds. assembly line The new domestic small cars - Ford Motor Co.'s Escort-Lynx and_ the Chrysler Corp. K cars - are in extremely short supply and are on the way toward fulfilling their promise of stardom, while small car sales in generai are robust. auto industry's prospects is that they are mixed. Some signs point to a recovery from the industry's short-term worst recession since the 1930's and others promise trouble ahead. Typical of the uncertainty, domestic car sales in the first 10 days of October and the 1981 year soared 11.6 percent over last year. In the second 10-day period, sales were back in the doldrums and down [5.2 percent. “The promise of the first 10 did not follow through,” been building since June. Such statistics appear to confirm unanimous forecasts by U.S. auto executives that the industry will continue its slow recovery from recession, budding modestly to sales of 10 muilhon cars and 3 million trucks in the model year. Other hopeful signs abound. Indefinite layoffs have dropped from 250,000 to 192,000 in three months, and several car and truck plants are resuming second shift operations and = in- Faulty computers save drivers QUEBEC (UPC) Some 2,000 delinquent drnvers in Quebec will be granted a repneve from the suspension of their drivers’ permits, said Transport Minister Denis de Belle val De Belle val conference told a press Monday the permits for about 2 O00 dnvers would be suspension of cancelled because of previous administrative problems which caused unnecessary delays It would not be faim to punish someone because of the computer problems we had ~ said de Belleval Uf the delays ino some cases were too long we will cancel those suspensions ~ De Belleval said the computes problems which he sand have since been tec tilied “caused delays between the time when some permits should have been suspended and the time when the computers digested thatinformation ” Ie Belleval said the poeovindiaal cabinet oo would Uccade at ity next mecting what prolonged computer the suspen possibly Wednesday. constitutes a delay the processing of sions The — transport said the government would also consider basing its no fault for minster insurance rates regarding bodily inyunes. on the number of dement points a odmver has ac cumulated The demerit points are automatically crased alter (wo years Under the current demerit system a dnver found guilty of offences, such as refusing to take a breathalyzer test or drunken driving, automatically loses 12 demenlt points and receives a three month suspension The more you look the more you lhe ordonm \MPORT AUTOS LTD. 733-8105 10th & Alma, Vancouver There is no firm indication thus far that consumers are goind to reject the high 1981 sticker prices. “Another strength in the market is, in spite of the high interest rates, people are coming in (to showrooms),” Jouppi said. “High used car prices are there and that helps, and remarkably, credit is available now.” Worries are also legion. Several analysts have predicted that high prices, relentless inflation, economic uncertainties and chmbing interest rates will Japanese Auto Specialists ‘Quality Service Assured’’ Fall is here! let us tune your car we will check ond / or replace | spark plugs points condenser high tension wires air filter fuel filter PCV valve 4 cyl. JIM PATTISON TOYOTA 1765 MARINE DRIVE, NORTH VAN Call 985-0591 6 cyl. cars 32° 36°° 39° plus perts plus parts plus parts conspire to keep sales depressed for months. The model year began with fleet average price increases of around $400 or more, and the average General Motors Corp. car price is now $9,700 - a shock to someone who hasn't shopped for a car in several years. Surging sales of small cars have served to make automakers more aware that they must sell many of their larger models to get back into the black financially. No significant swing back to big cars has become apparent. “The bigger cars were available and_ essentially they didn't sell them,” Jouppi said. “That to me is a bad sign. The dealers were unable to turn excellent floor traffic mto upgraded sales.” Stable gasoline hikes im the past year have been concentrated in small cars, making the larger models seem lke relatively good bargains. The Plymouth Gran Fury full-sized four-door with a base price of $7,387 is cheaper than six Datsun luxury car models, and the Dodge Diplomat Sport 986-3116 ~) —_ ‘ — scope test road test compression test reset dwell - reset timing - rest carb 8 cyl. cars B7-Sunday News, November 2, 1980 Car Rentals Oldies but Goodies free miledge from $12.95 Monthly Rates 980-1515 1180 Marine Dr. Coupe, an intermediate, is priced at $6,495 - only $615 higher than the least ex- pensive K car. meet the many faces Pe er Brand winter tune up includes replacing plugs, points, con’ e« exhaust system densor, set dwell & « shocks timing All ignition se steenng components — mechanrsims replaced with tires Wynns products hi gh tension leads _ Guaranteed for 6 cooling system months/60.000 fluid levels miles front suspension also includes assembly checking ail signa! tights © distnbutor $35 » winter tire service - Rotate tires For trouble free - Mount 2 winter driving. winter tires - alignment $5400 rad flush We offer a full fine of service for domestic and imported care. plus parts most cars rad flush & cooling check hoses and system check clamps ‘pressure test secure A/T cool- cooling system ing lines flush cooling check rad cap system check thermostat $9300 body shop . © Insurance Claims ° Comptete if y ’ , I hla eee enates : total: service At Peter Brand Motors we are dedicated to pro viding a tull range of top Might service to you customer Our qualhed bcenced mechanics are constantly beng updated and schooled on the newest techmques and developments in the automotive feld On staff as well are transmission specmahsts and people teamed wy buropean fuel in jection ° Restoration Work ° Remetating tor rust our We like to keepa good thing going Peter Brand Motors 1 ta lyde Ave: West Vase cuvert 922-3231