Ward's Reports Estimated North American Vehicle Production

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Jan. 3, 2002 Vehicle production this week in the U.S., Canada and Mexico is expected to hit an estimated 145,611 units, up from the 21,157 cars and trucks built last week, according to Ward's Automotive Reports.

Including this week's estimates, calendar year North American output now totals 145,611 vehicles, down 7.5 percent from like-2002's pace.

In the U.S., automakers are expected to produce 102,462 vehicles this week, up substantially from the 2,010 cars and trucks built last week. To date, calendar 2003 U.S. vehicle output totals an estimated 102,462 units, down 12.0 percent from the 116,434 vehicles built in like-2002.

This week's Canadian vehicle production is estimated at 21,136, a substantial increase from the 270 units assembled last week. Estimated calendar-2003 Canadian vehicle production now stands at 21,136 units, down 2.3 percent compared to the 21,628 vehicles produced in like-2002.

Of the cars and trucks slated for production this week in the U.S., General Motors Corp. accounted for 34.9 percent; Ford Motor Co., 26.3 percent; Chrysler of DaimlerChrysler, 13.3 percent; Honda of America Mfg. Inc., 6.8 percent; Toyota Motor Mfg. Inc., 5.2 percent; Nissan Motor Mfg. Corp., 3.1 percent; New United Motor Mfg. Inc., 3.1 percent; Subaru Automotive Inc., 1.0 percent; Mitsubishi Motor Mfg. of America Inc., 1.7 percent; AutoAlliance International Inc., 0.8 percent; Mercedes-Benz U.S. of DaimlerChrysler, 0.7 percent; BMW of North America Inc., 1.1 percent; and other manufacturers, 2.0 percent.

                       NORTH AMERICA FACTORY PRODUCTION
           This Week   Last Week   Same Week   To Date   To Date   Pct. Change
           Estimated   Revised     Last Year    2003       2002  2003 vs. 2002
    U.S.
    Cars     42,499         0       49,743     42,499     49,743     -14.6
    Trucks   59,963     2,010       66,691     59,963     66,691     -10.1
    TOTAL   102,462     2,010      116,434    102,462    116,434     -12.0
    Canada
    Cars     10,550         0        8,953     10,550      8,953      17.8
    Trucks   10,586       270       12,675     10,586     12,675     -16.5
    TOTAL    21,136       270       21,628     21,136     21,628      -2.3
    Mexico
    Cars     13,551    13,547        9,303     13,551      9,303      45.7
    Trucks    8,462     5,330       10,109      8,462     10,109     -16.3
    TOTAL    22,013    18,877       19,412     22,013     19,412      13.4
    U.S.\Canada\Mexico
    Cars     66,600    13,547       67,999     66,600     67,999      -2.1
    Trucks   79,011     7,610       89,475     79,011     89,475     -11.7
    GRAND   145,611    21,157      157,474    145,611    157,474      -7.5
    TOTAL

    Note: All figures include medium- and heavy-duty truck production.
    ON THE WEB: www.wardsauto.com