Ward's Reports Estimated North American Vehicle Production For 2003

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Dec. 31, 2003 -- North American manufacturers will end 2003 having built an estimated 16,212,896 units, 3.0% below 2002's 16,713,689, Ward's Automotive Reports announced today.

Ward's also reported that the majority of assembly plants are closed this week for the holiday season, but most will begin 2004 production on Jan. 5.

Although below 2002's total, estimated 2003 production was the third highest on record. The 17,658,238 units assembled in 2000 ranks highest with 1999 in the second slot when 17,615,754 vehicles were built. Ward's also reported that the promising economic outlook in the U.S. bodes well for another year-to-year production increase in 2004 though not to the lofty levels seen in 1999 and 2000.

Meantime, U.S. plants assembled an estimated 12,089,569 units in 2003, 1.5% below 2002. In Canada, production declined by 3.5% to 2,537,610, and Mexico factories were on track for 12.1% drop to 1,585,717 units.

Of the estimated cars and trucks produced in the U.S. this year, General Motors Corp. accounted for 32.2 percent; Ford Motor Co., 25.7 percent; Chrysler of DaimlerChrysler, 14.7 percent; Honda of America Mfg. Inc., 7.0 percent; Toyota Motor Mfg. Inc., 6.0 percent; Nissan Motor Mfg. Corp., 4.3 percent; New United Motor Mfg. Inc., 3.3 percent; Subaru-Isuzu Automotive Inc., 1.0 percent; Mitsubishi Motor Mfg. of America Inc., 1.4 percent; AutoAlliance International Inc., 0.7 percent; Mercedes-Benz U.S. of DaimlerChrysler, 0.7 percent; BMW of North America Inc., 1.4 percent; and other manufacturers, 1.6 percent.

        NORTH AMERICA FACTORY PRODUCTION
             To Date       To Date      Pct. Change
              2003           2002      2003 vs. 2002
  U.S.
  Cars      4,526,008     5,018,777       -9.8
  Trucks    7,563,561     7,260,805        4.2
  TOTAL    12,089,569    12,279,582       -1.5
  Canada
  Cars      1,334,415     1,369,042       -2.5
  Trucks    1,203,195     1,260,395       -4.5
  TOTAL     2,537,610     2,629,437       -3.5
  Mexico
  Cars        776,611       960,097      -19.1
  Trucks      809,106       844,573       -4.2
  TOTAL     1,585,717     1,804,670      -12.1
  U.S.\Canada\Mexico
  Cars      6,637,034     7,347,916       -9.7
  Trucks    9,575,862     9,365,773        2.2
  GRAND    16,212,896    16,713,689       -3.0
  TOTAL

  Note: All figures include medium- and heavy-duty truck production.
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