HITLER V. FORD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 October 1938, Page 6

HITLER V. FORD

FUEHRER’S MOTORING AIMS. GERMANY’S PEOPLE’S CAR. To outbid Henry Ford. That is Herr Hitler’s ambition in his role of Reich Motor Chief, according to a statement made by Dr. Ley, leader of the German Labour Front and the “Strength through Joy” movement. This “people’s car” project has now, according to authoritative information received from Germany, reached a most paradoxical stage. Dr. Ley states that whereas Ford is turning out only 1,000,000 cars a year, the mammoth new car factory which is going to be built at Fallersleben in Brunswick will turn out 1,500,000. The first wing of this factory, which will turn put 450,000 cars annually, will be finished, but not equipped, at the end of the year. The installation of plant will be completed at the end of 1939 and, added Dr. Ley, the entire works, producing 1 500,000 cars a year, would be finished at the end of 1945. There will be three different models, a limousine costing 990 reichsmarks (about £99 at the current New Zealand rate of exchange), and a cabriolimousine with removable roof, to cost 1050 reichsmarks (£105). The third, which is to be an open car, will not be built for the time being. Each of the 30 models from which the three types were chosen, did trials over 100,000 kilometres without serious repairs, though they mounted Grosslockner, the highest peak in Austria, at an average speed of 24 miles an hour. In 10 years’ time, continued Dr. Ley everybody in the Reich would own a car. and there would be at least 6,000.000 “people’s cars” on the road.

NO EXPERT AT FIRST. All purchasers will be taught to drive, and all insurance risks and other obligations will be included in the purchase price. For the first few years

the car will not be sold outside Germany. The car will be sold only on the instalment plan and the minimum instalment will be five reichsmarks weekly. Despite all these rosy statements, however, evidence accumulates that the workers of Germany are not too keen to buy this car. Most German workmen prefer to smoke a pipe at home or listen to the wireless. Moreover, the German workers are beginning to protest against the large sums being deducted from weekly earnings, like subscriptions (practically compulsory) for buying badges and literature. All these obligations amount to 35 per cent of their earnings. The average working wage in Germany is now 50 reichsmarks (£5), of which 12.50 (£1 ss) are reducted. The “people’s car” Will take away another 10 per cent of the worker’s income though, under Dr. Ley’s plan, he cannot obtain delivery of his car for three years. Above all, the German workers suspect that is is a new dodge started by the Government for raising money. If only 4,000,000 workers apply, then, 1,000,000,000 reichsmarks are poured into the Government’s coffers without any interest to pay, while the diminution in the purchasing power of the masses owing to these instalments, would reduce the demand for food, clothing and other necessities which Germany is now finding great difficulty in importing.