AUTOS: New Models

The U.S. auto industry continued its biceps-flexing last week. Chevrolet's General Manager T. F. Keating announced a 1956 production target of 2,500,000 cars and trucks (against an estimated 2,300,000 this year). Figures on the industry's output for the week seemed to support his optimism: 158,877 cars and trucks off assembly lines, against 126,166 the week before and 59,302 a year earlier.

One reason for the increase was the earlier shift this year to 1956 models, of which more came out last week:

¶Packard boosted horsepower from 275 to 310, making its engine the most powerful yet announced. Other features: electric pushbutton shifting, a new nonslip differential for better traction on mud and ice.

¶Pontiac lengthened its bodies (2.4 in.), boosted horsepower from 200 to 227, has a new Hydra-Matic shift that lessens the "bump" between gears.

¶Cadillac stepped up horsepower (250 to 285 on standard models) and brought out two new hardtop models. Optional equipment: a new aluminum grille available in either silver or gold.