MASS PRODUCTION.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 304, 24 December 1929, Page 17

MASS PRODUCTION.

A good deal has been said, from time to time, about mass production. Some hold it to cheapen and reduce the quality of the product. In the case of the motor vehicle it has exactly the opposite effect as regards quality, and it has the inestimable advantage of reducing the price. We get better value because we get a better made article ftt a lower price. Mass production means a factory and plant organisation, which is so perfect that mistakes cannot be made —they are too expensive. It means also the best materials procurable, because faulty or poor material affects very adversely the output and accuracy of size upon which all mass production depends. Most cars to-day are mass produced and are giving long life and good service. There are some expensive cars which are individually built; they are in a class by themselves and they appeal only to a limited number of buyers, because the individual method of construction costs considerably more. These care arc also* elaborately finished and equipped; refinements are put into them which give just that- extra touch which satisfies a certain class of buyer, and tliey arc full value for money. But for the greater number of motorists, mass production gives them an all-round sound, fast, reliable and economical car which will stand up to every requirement. The design, too, must be right from power plant to back axle. No manufacturer would lay down a plant and tools for the production in large quantities of a vehicle, the design of which had not been proved correct and reliable. There is 110 room for mistakes; there must be no experimenting 011 the buyers. This latter has happened in the ease of some small manufacturers, in the past, but it has invariably failed. The testing of mass produced cars cannot be left to customers. They must be right before production is commenced, and that is why the buyer of the standardised car is getting such good value to-day. Standardised high quality, full equipment, and reasonable prices have now become the outstanding features of car production in England, America and other countries.