CSM Automotive Production Barometer (APB) - July 2005

DETROIT, July 12 -- CSM Worldwide, the leading provider of market intelligence and forecasting to the automotive industry, announces the July 2005 CSM Automotive Production Barometer(TM). Released in advance of existing sources of information, this service provides an accurate tally of light vehicle production for the previous month to assist automotive economists and financial analysts in their ongoing industry evaluations.

"Our Automotive Production Barometer is intended to mirror and expand on the Federal Reserve's estimate of U.S. light vehicle production," said Greg Mount, chief economist at CSM Worldwide. "With our industry knowledge, historical record-keeping and expertise in forecasting, we're able to provide an accurate count of U.S. and aggregate North American light vehicle production an average of three to four days in advance of the Federal Reserve's report. In an industry where minutes can matter, we see this as a significant advantage."

The CSM Automotive Production Barometer for July 2005 is currently available via the CSM Worldwide website: http://www.csmauto.com/auto-production-barometer . Subsequent reports will be posted to the same location on or near the 11th of each month.

U.S. light vehicle production rebounded in June to 1.06 million units produced, up 6.4% over last month and 2.6% on a year-over-year basis. On a seasonally adjusted basis, production increased a solid 4.6% to 11.57M units compared to May's weak results and also climbed 2.7% year-over-year. The Traditional Big 3 manufacturers continued to institute downtime across their operations in North America, this time affecting mid-size pickup and SUV production. Full-size SUVs and pickups continue to show weakness, but GM's highly successful employee pricing sales program managed to draw from their bloated inventory and bring them down to reasonable levels. Significant production increases for GM full-size trucks are not expected as it prepares to launch the redesigned GMT900-based SUVs later this year and into 2006.

Production through June in the U.S. continues to lag last year's results, with output falling 3.0% to a seasonally adjusted rate of 11.47M units produced year-to-date. North American production slipped 0.5% to 15.86M units in June year-over-year on a seasonally adjusted basis and remains down 2.8% to 15.49M units through June. North American production increased 4.6% over last month. U.S. production is expected to drop next month due to the summer shutdown for vacation and model changeovers.

On a seasonally adjusted basis, output at GM and Ford fell 14.3% and 3.5% respectively, while output at DaimlerChrysler grew 7.5% year-over-year. GM began production of the redesigned Chevrolet Impala and new HHR in June, while DCX continues to show strength with the LX-based Chrysler 300 and new Dodge Charger in addition to the Pacifica, Town & Country and Caravan. Ford expects to make inroads in the highly competitive mid-size sedan segment with the all- new Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr, which enter production in August. On an equally adjusted basis, North American production in June for Toyota, Nissan and Honda facilities continue grow, with output climbing 5.2%, 19.7% and 25.4% year-over-year respectively. Noteworthy performers include Toyota's redesigned Tacoma and Avalon, Nissan's Pathfinder and Altima, and Honda has added incremental volume with the Ridgeline pickup and is preparing to launch a revised Accord and all-new Civic later this summer.