Q3 North American Output Edges Up

North American auto plants are set to build at least 22,700 more light vehicles in the third quarter than had been planned a month ago, in large part due to gains slated this month for General Motors.

That figure could go higher if Ford, which is still reviewing its needs, opts to boost output at its plants and/or Chrysler planners see the need for additional units.

As July opens, 3,945,500 car and truck assemblies are on the books for Q3, up from 3,922,800 a month ago and 5.2% more than the 3,749,100 built in like-2012.

Trucks alone are up 8.6% over year-ago to 2,228,300 units, 9,200 more than previously were scheduled. An additional 13,500 cars equals a 1.2% gain on like-2012.

Much of the Q3 increase is slated for this month, when 35,000 more vehicles have been added to the roster, 12,300 of which were pulled ahead from August and September to build inventories going into the summer selling season.

GM plans to build an additional 34,500 vehicles this quarter, including 18,500 trucks and 16,000 cars. The bulk of the increase comes this month, when 27,500 more vehicles are slated for completion, with an additional 7,000 units spread throughout August and September.

Honda is the only other auto maker reporting a Q3 net gain with an additional 12,000 units in July, including 9,000 cars, partially offset by a reduction of 500 cars in August and 1,500 in September.

The industry’s strong Q3 tally comes on the heels of a second-quarter performance estimated to have fallen 10,000 units short of plan. That includes an estimated 24,800-unit June shortfall that was seen partially compensating for the additional 15,300 assemblies pumped into May.

Based on current plans, North American production is set to reach 12,265,600 units by Sept. 30, 3.1% more than the 11,902,100 vehicles turned out year-ago.

The Detroit Three, operating at 102.4% of their prior-year level, account for 52.2% of the January-September output plan, slightly less than 2012’s 52.6%.

Transplants are set to complete 5,613,700 units in that timeframe, 4.7% more than the 5,364,100 year-ago, nudging their share to 45.8% from 45.1.%.

Building at 86.6% of their prior-year rate, dedicated medium- and heavy-duty truck makers are set to produce 244,000 units through September, or 2.0% of the industry total, down from 281,700 in like-2012 when they accounted for a 2.4% share.

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