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Ward's Reports Estimated Production

2 October 1997

Ward's Reports Estimated Production

    SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Oct. 2 -- Vehicle production in the U.S.,
Canada and Mexico is expected to hit 349,792 units this week, including
171,962 cars and 177,830 trucks, according to Ward's Automotive Reports.
    With this week's production, estimated calendar year North American output
now totals 12,139,993.  That's up 1.0 percent compared to the 12,020,257
vehicles built in like-1996.
    U.S. vehicle production is expected to total 268,042 units this week, down
1.0 percent from the 270,632 cars and trucks made last week.  Calendar 1997
U.S. vehicle production now stands at 9,119,109.  That's 34 units more than
like-1996's total of 9,119,075.
    In Canada, automakers will manufacture 55,008 cars and trucks this week,
up 10.6 percent from last week's total of 49,724.  Estimated calendar year
Canadian vehicle production now stands at 2,002,977, an increase of 5.9
percent compared to like-1996 levels.
    Of the cars and trucks slated for production this week in the United
States, General Motors Corp. accounts for 37.3 percent; Ford Motor Co., 27.9
percent; Chrysler Corp., 14.9 percent; Honda of America Mfg. Inc., 5.0
percent; Toyota Motor Mfg. Inc., 3.1 percent; Nissan Motor Mfg. Corp., 3.0
percent; New United Motor Mfg. Inc., 2.6 percent; Subaru-Isuzu Automotive
Inc., 1.6 percent; Mitsubishi Motor Mfg. of America Inc., 1.4 percent;
AutoAlliance International Inc., 0.8 percent; BMW of North America Inc., 0.4
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    1997      1996    1997 vs. 1996

    U.S.
    Cars   125,745     126,521     121,102   4,524,783   4,738,674     -4.51
    Trucks 142,297     144,111     127,106   4,594,326   4,380,401      4.88
    TOTAL  268,042     270,632     248,208   9,119,109   9,119,075      0.00
    Canada
    Cars    28,805      24,717      24,803   1,074,139   1,006,609      6.71
    Trucks  26,203      25,007      24,624     928,838     884,522      5.01
    TOTAL   55,008      49,724      49,427   2,002,977   1,891,131      5.91
    Mexico
    Cars    17,412      17,409      15,770     625,089     624,169      0.15
    Trucks   9,330       9,228       8,284     392,818     385,882      1.80
    TOTAL   26,742      26,637      24,054   1,017,907   1,010,051      0.78
    U.S.\Canada\Mexico
    Cars   171,962     168,647     161,675   6,224,011   6,369,452     -2.28
    Trucks 177,830     178,346     160,014   5,915,982   5,650,805      4.69
    GRAND  349,792     346,993     321,689  12,139,993  12,020,257      1.00
    TOTAL

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

SOURCE  Ward's