Show Car Buyer yer Sugg Suggestions One automobile manufacturer has initiated a program in 1960 which should prove interesting It may be adopted by others if it is successful The program involves a large group of car owners who are sent sent comprehensive booklets to record reactions to their new car car The They are also asked to comment on the dealer and service ce practices in addition This effort was initiated by q a manufacturer to see if the opinions opinions opine ions of oC car buyers would help the manufacturer in designing his product With the beginning of the 1960 model year every tenth tenor purchaser of this firms firm's compact car car and every thir hir lieth purchaser of oC the standard model car received the booklet mentioned above The Thc company will begin a n series of informal luncheons soon where selected owners will be invited to lo make their suggestions vocally contribute I their ideas and air their complaints com com- plaints if they have an any The company explains that this is not a complaint department which is already in being but it is a new effort designed to let the car buyer offer oller constructive construe constructive tive ti suggestions for lor the thc design and improvement of the car he has bought This approach to lo dealer dealer dealer-cus cus- cus tamer tomer relations is a sound one especially in view of the trend towards consolidation of the automobile companies in the United States Stales Although it is unlikely unlikely un un- l likely kely that buyers will stress safety angles in their criticisms criticisms criticisms the they might well come up with constructive suggestions and additional safety features features fea lea tures may also eventually result result re re- sult suit from this program Aside from the public relations relations relations rela rela- value of the program if it is carried out fully lully all down the line this novel no approach ma may herald an era of 01 much closer manufacturer consumer relations in the thc automobile industry industry industry in in- and this is vitally important important im when one realizes that the automobile is the second most important purchase of oC the average American household |