Ward's Reports Estimated Production

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., April 12 -- Vehicle production this week in the U.S., Canada and Mexico is expected to hit an estimated 300,288 units, down from the 334,189 cars and trucks built last week, according to Ward's Automotive Reports. Including this week's estimates, calendar year North American output now totals 4,615,528 vehicles, down 18.1 percent from like-2000's pace. In the U.S., automakers are expected to produce 218,433 vehicles this week, down 7.2 percent from the 235,262 cars and trucks built last week. To date, calendar 2001 U.S. vehicle output totals an estimated 3,289,964 units, down 20.2 percent from the 4,124,901 vehicles built in like-2000. This week's Canadian vehicle production is estimated at 48,996, a 17.0 percent decrease from the 59,058 units assembled last week. Estimated calendar-2001 Canadian vehicle production now stands at 790,947 units, down 20.2 percent compared to the 990,769 vehicles produced in like-2000. Of the cars and trucks slated for production this week in the U.S., General Motors Corp. accounted for 30.4 percent; Ford Motor Co., 29.6 percent; Chrysler of DaimlerChrysler, 14.1 percent; Honda of America Mfg. Inc., 6.3 percent; Toyota Motor Mfg. Inc., 5.8 percent; Nissan Motor Mfg. Corp., 2.7 percent; New United Motor Mfg. Inc., 3.2 percent; Subaru-Isuzu Automotive Inc., 1.6 percent; Mitsubishi Motor Mfg. of America Inc., 1.9 percent; AutoAlliance International Inc., 0.8 percent; Mercedes-Benz U.S. of DaimlerChrysler, 0.8 percent; BMW of North America Inc., 1.0 percent; and other manufacturers, 1.8 percent.

NORTH AMERICA FACTORY PRODUCTION This Week Last Week Same Week To Date To Date Pct. Change Estimated Revised Last Year 2001 2000 2001 vs. 2000

U.S. Cars 97,247 95,409 126,271 1,471,217 1,759,083 -16.4 Trucks 121,186 139,853 167,632 1,818,747 2,365,818 -23.1 TOTAL 218,433 235,262 293,903 3,289,964 4,124,901 -20.2 Canada Cars 24,709 30,765 34,760 390,836 515,477 -24.2 Trucks 24,287 28,293 32,279 400,111 475,292 -15.8 TOTAL 48,996 59,058 67,039 790,947 990,769 -20.2 Mexico Cars 20,062 22,486 23,437 304,506 324,881 -6.3 Trucks 12,797 17,383 15,999 230,111 195,363 17.8 TOTAL 32,859 39,869 39,436 534,617 520,244 2.8 U.S.\Canada\Mexico Cars 142,018 148,660 184,468 2,166,559 2,599,441 -16.7 Trucks 158,270 185,529 215,910 2,448,969 3,036,473 -19.3 GRAND 300,288 334,189 400,378 4,615,528 5,635,914 -18.1 TOTAL

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

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