Show Biggest Intangible Facing Car Industry Is Unfilled Orders I DETROIT One One of the automo automo- automobile automobile automobile bile industry's biggest intangibles I is its unfilled order list If the claims of only a few of of the sales chiefs of the various com com- companies companies companies are reasonably correct the backlog of orders now calls for more than cars But there is something unreal about that total Some industry of of- officials officials officials say it has more water in Still it than appears on the surface others assert it is loaded with du du- Nearly every car maker agrees it would vanish overnight should anything cut into current public buying r ower power The Tho car lr z 1 s es are aIe not putting putting i i i e e on the backlog Without exception ex eption they are developing their merchandising divisions as though the competitive era were close at hand n I. I Probably the backlog Is loaded with duplications many of the new I cars that reach the used car lots come through duplicated orders And probably if deliveries are delayed de de- delayed delayed long enough most of the duplicated orders will become real But whatever may be the true i picture of the order backlog most industry agree the pres pres- present present present I ent market could not instantly absorb ab ab- absorb absorb more new automobiles I Iwer were were it possible for the industry to I offer immediate delivery of that number Moreover the nations nation's highway system couldn't absorb them Best estimates are that this years year's end will find vehicles on the nations nation's highways So the question is being asked in some quarters Is the buyers' buyers market closer than the order list would indicate I There are many and varied opinions opinIons opinions ions on this point but few hard and fast convictions Meanwhile I all the car makers will be ready for the competitive market when wh n nit I it comes |