Ward's Reports Estimated Production

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Jan. 4 -- Vehicle production this week in the U.S., Canada and Mexico is expected to hit an estimated 226,744 units, up from the 14,836 cars and trucks built during last week's holiday break, according to Ward's Automotive Reports.

Including this week's estimates, calendar year North American output now totals 226,744 vehicles, up 0.5 percent from like-2001's pace.

In the U.S., automakers are expected to produce 154,299 vehicles this week, up substantially from the 1,196 cars and trucks built last week. To date, calendar 2002 U.S. vehicle output totals an estimated 154,299 units, down 4.8 percent from the 162,077 vehicles built in like-2001.

This week's Canadian vehicle production is estimated at 39,668, a tremendous increase from the 210 units assembled last week.

Estimated Calendar-2002 Canadian vehicle production now stands at 39,668 units, up 2.2 percent compared to the 38,830 vehicles produced in like-2001.

Of the cars and trucks slated for production this week in the U.S., General Motors Corp. accounted for 21.6 percent; Ford Motor Co., 29.6 percent; Chrysler of DaimlerChrysler, 23.0 percent; Honda of America Mfg. Inc., 10.0 percent; Toyota Motor Mfg. Inc., 5.1 percent; Nissan Motor Mfg. Corp., 3.3 percent; New United Motor Mfg. Inc., 2.3 percent; Subaru-Isuzu Automotive Inc., 2.4 percent; Mitsubishi Motor Mfg. of America Inc., 0.0 percent; AutoAlliance International Inc., 0.0 percent; Mercedes-Benz U.S. of DaimlerChrysler, 0.7 percent; BMW of North America Inc., 0.9 percent; and other manufacturers, 1.1 percent.

                       NORTH AMERICA FACTORY PRODUCTION
            This Week  Last Week  Same Week   To Date   To Date   Pct. Change
            Estimated   Revised   Last Year    2002      2001    2002 vs. 2001
    U.S.
    Cars      62,749        0      78,287     62,749    78,287      -19.8
    Trucks    91,550    1,196      83,790     91,550    83,790        9.3
    TOTAL    154,299    1,196     162,077    154,299   162,077       -4.8
    Canada
    Cars      17,313        0      18,797     17,313    18,797       -7.9
    Trucks    22,355      210      20,033     22,355    20,033       11.6
    TOTAL     39,668      210      38,830     39,668    38,830        2.2
    Mexico
    Cars      20,415    8,471      12,472     20,415    12,472       63.7
    Trucks    12,362    4,959      12,340     12,362    12,340        0.2
    TOTAL     32,777   13,430      24,812     32,777    24,812       32.1
    U.S.\Canada\Mexico
    Cars     100,477    8,471     109,556    100,477   109,556       -8.3
    Trucks   126,267    6,365     116,163    126,267   116,163        8.7
    GRAND    226,744   14,836     225,719    226,744   225,719        0.5
    TOTAL

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

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