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VDA Auto Indicators 'International Edition' Available in N.A.

20 May 1998

VDA Auto Indicators 'International Edition' Now Available in North America

Previously Only Available in German, English Language 'International Edition'
   Gives North American Suppliers Access to Monthly German Industry Reports

    DETROIT, May 20 -- UK based AUTOBUSINESS, Ltd. and Chicago
based HCI Group jointly announced today that the English language,
"International Edition" VDA Auto Indicators are now available in North
America.  The respected and well-known German reports of forecasts and
analysis has been published since 1995 by the German auto industry's Verband
der Automobilindustrie (VDA) as the "VDA Konjunktur Barometer."  The monthly
reports are translated to English from German by AUTOBUSINESS, Ltd.  The
reports are available immediately in North America via the HCI Group.
    "With German automakers leading a resurgence of the 'new' European
automotive industry, Germany still represents the dominant force in the
regions' automotive industry," states Ronald Hesse, President of the HCI
Group, adding "Many North American automotive suppliers do not read German and
thus are 'left-out' by not being part of the knowledge base distribution of
the German auto industry, as well as the VDA's international perspective.
This will give North American suppliers an important tool to help make
strategic decisions, utilizing the same insights as their German counterparts.
If suppliers are doing business in Germany, this can be a great tool."
    The VDA Auto Indicators provides an insight into the automotive outlook
from the heart of the European automotive industry.  It gives an international
perspective on developments in the European car and truck markets.
    The VDA Auto Indicators includes domestic and export order intake data for
the German vehicle makers and the latest data on sales, exports and production
in leading automotive economies.  The VDA Auto Indicators appears every month
and is available through an annual subscription of $1,700.
   The Verband der Automobilindustrie, the German Automotive Industry
Association, represents vehicle manufacturers, component suppliers and trailer
and container manufacturers in Europe's largest automotive industry.  The VDA
Auto Indicators is an international edition of the VDA Konjunktur Barometer
produced by the Economics and Statistics Department of the VDA.  Data on the
international economy has been produced in co-operation with FERI GmbH.
    AUTOBUSINESS, Ltd. is a consultancy that has specialized in research on
the European and Global automotive industries.  Reports include studies of
automotive investment trends, the European automotive component sector and
information services for the industry.