Ward's Reports Estimated Production

<p>SOUTHFIELD, Mich., March 8 -- Vehicle production this week in the U.S., Canada and Mexico is expected to hit an estimated 357,410 units, up from the 356,612 cars and trucks built last week, according to Ward's Automotive Reports.<p>Including this week's estimates, calendar year North American output now totals 3,167,260 vehicles, up 7.5 percent from like-2001's pace.<p>In the U.S., automakers are expected to produce 262,862 vehicles this week, up 1.7 percent from the 258,521 cars and trucks built last week. To date, calendar 2002 U.S. vehicle output totals an estimated 2,316,461 units, up 11.5 percent from the 2,077,472 vehicles built in like-2001.<p>This week's Canadian vehicle production is estimated at 59,220, a 2.5 percent decrease from the 60,715 units assembled last week. Estimated calendar-2002 Canadian vehicle production now stands at 517,086 units, up 0.3 percent compared to the 515,462 vehicles produced in like-2001.<p>Of the cars and trucks slated for production this week in the U.S., General Motors Corp. accounted for 34.6 percent; Ford Motor Co., 27.6 percent; Chrysler of DaimlerChrysler, 13.5 percent; Honda of America Mfg. Inc., 5.8 percent; Toyota Motor Mfg. Inc., 5.2 percent; Nissan Motor Mfg. Corp., 3.6 percent; New United Motor Mfg. Inc., 3.2 percent; Subaru-Isuzu Automotive Inc., 1.2 percent; Mitsubishi Motor Mfg. of America Inc., 1.6 percent; AutoAlliance International Inc., 0.7 percent; Mercedes-Benz U.S. of DaimlerChrysler, 0.7 percent; BMW of North America Inc., 1.1 percent; and other manufacturers, 1.2 percent. <br clear=all><pre> 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 110,438 112,567 110,407 990,969 949,351 4.4 Trucks 152,424 145,954 133,665 1,325,492 1,128,121 17.5 TOTAL 262,862 258,521 244,072 2,316,461 2,077,472 11.5 Canada Cars 29,865 30,582 25,221 256,900 256,114 0.3 Trucks 29,355 30,133 28,829 260,186 259,348 0.3 TOTAL 59,220 60,715 54,050 517,086 515,462 0.3 Mexico Cars 19,293 20,372 22,424 182,002 198,250 -8.2 Trucks 16,035 17,004 16,608 151,711 154,297 -1.7 TOTAL 35,328 37,376 39,032 333,713 352,547 -5.3 U.S.\Canada\Mexico Cars 159,596 163,521 158,052 1,429,871 1,403,715 1.9 Trucks 197,814 193,091 179,102 1,737,389 1,541,766 12.7 GRAND 357,410 356,612 337,154 3,167,260 2,945,481 7.5 TOTAL

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

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