North American Auto Makers Boost Q3 Output

Faced by the need to build inventory and with apparent confidence in second-half growth, U.S. auto makers are boosting third-quarter output plans by a whopping 6.5% or 183,000 units, pushing the more-modest 2,812,300-unit slate put in place a month ago to 2,995,300.

Unexpectedly strong light-truck sales are providing much of the impetus for the increase, accounting for 68.3% of the added units.

Although