To the Editor.—
Multiple names for the same type of vehicle, eg, Ford, Mustang, Chevrolet, Impala, etc, are confusing to physicians, pharmacists, nurses, students, and other purchasers. Products that appear to be entirely different may possess the same active ingredients (engine, wheels, fenders, etc), and the many seemingly unrelated names do not identify for the driver the active ingredients in the individual car. It is almost impossible for doctors to keep informed about the multitude of brands or trademarks, although an advantage to "official" names may be obvious.Reservations have been expressed in regard to the equivalence of cars produced by different manufacturers. On the other hand, evidence of greater uniform reliability of autos on the American market has now been accumulated. The Department of Transportation is developing standards for motor vehicles that should assure the user of motoring equivalence and thus of interchangeability.Is it not time that we