What exactly would the final production reports be officially used for? They are great to have these days for our use but what exactly did Oldsmobile, or any auto manufacturer use them for? Is it for tax reasons or something else? Could it be possible that they could have wrong numbers in a production report? Like a situation where they built 2005 cars but the report says 2010? Just curious more information on how they used these reports and their accuracy.

I know we have always held these numbers from these reports as gospel truth but are they actually? I want to believe they are correct but wanted to ask the question.

 

In most businesses it is typical to use historical data to predict requirements for future production. Trending year-over-year is also critical. For example, in the 1960s the rate at which customers selected A/C increased dramatically. This info would be used to predict future production rates.

 

Yep, forecasting is probably the number 1 reason. Keep in mind, doing business with suppliers, especially automotive suppliers, requires volume forecasts in order to lock in pricing, capacity, tooling, etc. You can't just pick up the phone and wing it. In a lot of cases, there are cost penalties if you don't hit your agreed upon volumes so forecasting is critical. Nuts, bolts, gaskets, wheels, cylinder blocks, etc. Everything needs a volume forecast. When it comes to automotive parts, you also have to consider in warranty and service replacement volumes for x number of years into the future. The better predictive data you have, the more accurately you can forecast and the more money you can save.

 

Inventory control and production performance are one way my OEM uses that info. Tariffs and fees owed per car to governments are another. Milestones like the 10 millionth car are another.

 

Part of the reason I ask is because the 1991 W-41 production report says 204 and Helen Earley told me around 1993 the same thing. There are some in the W-41 family that are dead set that only 200 were made. There are Olds publications that said 200 and many magazines that said 200. The only place 204 appears is in the final production report. I want to believe the final production report is correct.

 

The official word is that there were 906 1969 H/Os, but we know today that there were 912 (not counting the convertibles).

 

Come on! We know that number's bogus. Just like '70-'72 W-30's. Hell, a quick search of the internet will confirm they made a ton more of all those cars!