Autos: Fast Start

The first sales figures for the auto industry's 1966 models came out last week, and they were impressive even by Detroit standards. In October's first ten days, Chrysler sold 40,043 new cars —almost 7,000 more than a year ago. New Buicks, Oldsmobiles and Cadillacs did not reach the showrooms until last week, but General Motors' earlier arrivals were setting a dizzy pace. Chevrolet sales were up 20% over last year, Pontiac's a staggering 66%. Ford's ten-day sales were nearly 30,000 ahead of last year, and even struggling American Motors almost matched its 1964 sales.

In all, the U.S.'s 33,280 dealers...