The Automobile Industry of the 1930's (Chapters 1 - 10, Option D)*

The Big Three in the 1920's

Two cars from General Motors source

Leading into the 1930's, the automobile industry overtook the steel industry as the largest sector in the United States economy, and three automobile companies reigned above all others, General Motors  Corporation (GM), Ford Motors Company, and Chrysler Corporation. Ford's Model T's had become extremely successful in the 1920's leading Ford to become the largest automobile company in America. Later, Ford updated the Model T to the Model A, and though not as successful and the Model T's and eventually overtaken by General Motors and Chrysler, Ford remained as one of the largest automobile companies in the U.S. General Motors soon took over Ford as the largest automobile company in the U.S. and innovated annual car models. Chrysler adopted similar strategies as GM and soon took over Ford as the second largest automobile company.

The Great Depression on the Industry

1937 Talbot Lago T150 SS. Teardrop Coupe bodywork by Figoni & Falaschi
source

During the 1930's, the United States was great recession. Many businesses had bankrupted and the automotive industry was no exception. Many independent car companies, only leaving the Big Three. Even then, the Big Three was significantly affected by the depression, only surviving due to their financial strength from the years beforehand. Car production was significantly cut. Big car producing cities, such as Detroit, were faced with high unemployment. Workers under the Big Three no longer had their job security and stability as in the 1920's as companies cut work times, wages, and jobs. However even under though economic times, the 1930's featured many technological innovations in the automobile industry. New innovations such as the teardrop car design, automatic transmission, and the diversity in engine strength with the V-6, V-8 and V-16. 

The Dust Bowl and Migration

The Dust Bowl had cause many families from the Great Plains (often called "Okies") to move to California  and the west in search of better opportunities. Their cars were essential for moving their supplies, and families to the west. Families were forced to abandon their previous lives, houses, and any other materials that they could not bring in their car. Many traveled on Route 66 to get to California. 

Okies and their Model T truck source

In chapter 7 of The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck, a car dealership is selling decrepit cars, often called jalopies. These cars were often cheaply modified to seem like new to sell to desperate families in need of cars to travel to the west. Cars were the only source for these people to move and leave behind the hardships of the Dust Bowl in search for better opportunities. 

Sources

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