Buyers' Market

In 1956 Ford led the way in announcing auto price increases, only to be forced into a rollback when General Motors followed with a less expensive list. After that embarrassing experience, Ford was pretty much content to wait until G.M. had set the industry's price standards.

This year, however, Ford again got out front on prices--and again had to back down. Two weeks ago, Ford announced an average price hike of $107 on its '67 models; Chrysler followed with a $92 increase. Both companies were dismayed when G.M. raised its prices by only an average of $53. Last week, therefore, Ford knocked $41 off its increase, putting it at a much more competitive $66, while Chrysler came down to $68. Thus, in the high-volume four-door field, the first raises had put suggested prices for Chrysler's Fury III at $2,802, Ford's Galaxie at $2,786--until G.M.'s Impala came out at only $2,723. Now, the Fury III will go for $2,746 and the Galaxie for $2,732.

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