S&P Raises Ratings on Chase Manhattan Auto Owner Trusts

    NEW YORK, Feb. 6 Standard & Poor's today raised its
ratings on the subordinate certificates of four Chase Manhattan Auto Owner
Trust's transactions (see list).
    The raised ratings reflect increased loss protection percentages due to
the buildup of credit enhancement, the strong performance of the transactions,
and low expected remaining cumulative losses.  All four transactions have pool
factors below 30%, and the existing credit support for each transaction is far
above the original credit enhancement levels.
    The four transactions have reserve accounts that are at, or close to,
their required levels.  Only the series 1997-B transaction is slightly below
its required level, as a result of a draw in December 2000.  Standard & Poor's
expects the remaining credit support will be sufficient to support the
certificates at their new rating levels. -- CreditWire

     OUTSTANDING RATINGS RAISED

     Chase Manhattan Auto Owner Trust 1997-B
     Class                Rating
                        To     From
     Certificates       AAA     AA-

     Chase Manhattan Auto Owner Trust 1998-A
     Class                Rating
                        To     From
     Certificates       AAA     A+

     Chase Manhattan Auto Owner Trust 1998-B
     Class                Rating
                        To     From
     Certificates       AAA     A+

     Chase Manhattan Auto Owner Trust 1998-C
     Class                Rating
                        To     From
     Certificates       AAA     A+