Q1 Car Output Cut, Light-Trucks Boosted

With a late revision by Ford countering some negativity elsewhere in the industry, first-quarter North American vehicle output now stands at 4,396,900 units, 0.2% ahead of the 4,388,900 cars and trucks built in like-2015, reflecting a sharp 5.5% decline in car output and a 4.1% increase in truck assemblies.

Despite the cutbacks, the 4,367,000 cars and trucks now scheduled for completion in January-March, ranks third-best for the period and within 97% of the all-time Q1 record of 4,811,021 vehicles built in January-March 2000.

Falling oil and gasoline prices largely are blamed for automakers whacking 72,100 cars from January-March plans in the latest round of output reviews, led by an 85,700-unit reduction at FCA, Honda, Nissan and Toyota, with smaller cuts elsewhere.

Subaru of Indiana Automotive and Ford countered that trend with a car output increase of 10,700 and 1,700 units, respectively, compared with what had been programmed a month ago, while Hyundai, Kia and Tesla left plans unchanged.

Truck output, on the other hand, is increasing to 2,709,000 units, 29,800 more than previously slated

The gain is due mainly to a 30,400-unit boost at Ford, along with a combined 12,400-unit increased at BMW, General Motors, Honda and Mercedes, some of which has been offset by the 5,800 trucks cut by Subaru, Nissan and FCA.

Dedicated medium- and heavy-duty truck makers trimmed another 7,200 assemblies due to slower than expected sales.

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