Low Stocks Prompt North American Q4 Production Boost

North American auto makers, finding little room left to maneuver in their third-quarter production output, are setting their sights on relatively robust fourth-quarter product targets, as they rebuild dealer inventories depleted by the successful “Cash-for-Clunkers” incentive program.

The industry’s fourth-quarter slate targets output of 2,619,000 cars and trucks, or 4.7% less than the 2,748,300 built in what was a weak year-ago period.

Nevertheless, the new goal is a ...