On May 25, 1927, the company was planning to unveil a new car to replace the Model T. With sales of Model T plunging 30 percent, Ford came to the realization that Model T’s time had passed. Perhaps it was time for Ford to listen to his son, Edsel, along with his senior managers.Įventually, he relented. In 1926, despite being offered in a choice of colors, the public spurned it. These 20s cars were warmly received by both automotive critics and the buying public, allured by the cars’ soft, elegant lines. His first car for General Motors was the 1927 La Salle, intended to fill a gap between the moderately priced Buick 6 and the high-end Cadillac. He started work at GM as a consulting engineer. Harley Earl entered GM’s management armed with boldness and vision, who considered automobile design to be an art form. Interesting 20s Cars Storiesįord had lost its position as industry leader in 1927. This adherence to the “car culture” had resulted in cars of the 1920’s spreading to the masses, hence millions and millions of cars that poured so much cash to the Big Three. The deep, irrational attachment to the car had been nurtured by auto companies. Then, as now, the motorist was bombarded by advertisements intended to compel him to buy and step up to a fancier car, as if not doing so will not make him a complete person. They stressed style and design and power the slightest change in appearance was heralded as nothing short of revolutionary. Many 20s cars were sold that way, mainly by the headway copywriters made in their advertising. The concept, known as “planned obsolescence,” became a cornerstone not only of the car industry, but of the American consumer society, affecting the whole gamut of products – from lawnmowers to washing machines – were made, marketed, and sold in America.Īdvertising was a critical component of planned obsolescence. Once lured in the showroom, he would, through salesmanship compelled to buy another desirable car. Sloan thought that if subtle changes in design and technology were introduced each year, and were supported by a shrewd and advertising campaign, the average car owner would almost certainly grow dissatisfied with his current model. Sloan was receptive to the demands of the market, aware that 1920’s cars were sold to the tune of almost 20 million units.

Starting with a Ford, then a Chevrolet would lead a buyer to another car, a Buick or an Olds, or ultimately a Cadillac. This progressive thinking was based upon GM management’s observation that when before, 20s cars were purchased as a “once-in-a-lifetime” thing, American consumers were “trading up.” They were more willing to buy fancier cars, stepping up from a Model T. Styling became a fundamental way to build cars. Fiscal restraint, thoughtful, detailed research, and teamwork were the hallmarks in running the once stodgy company. His thoughtful management resulted in innovation heretofore unknown in corporate America. By 1923, he was running GM – at that time, the largest industrial corporation in the world. He made a lot of money in the purchase, and then found himself in management.

Sloan joined GM in 1916 when his company, Hyatt Roller Bearing, was acquired by GM.

1920s Cars - Manufactured On A Grand Scaleġ920s cars continued to flourish under the sure hand of Alfred Sloan.

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