Washington, D.C.—March 28, 2002—The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) welcomed General Motors Japan Ltd. (GM Japan) to membership representing another tangible sign of the increasingly global nature of the world’s auto industry, according to Japan Auto Trends, JAMA’s newsletter released today.

“GM Japan joins JAMA at a time of extraordinary challenge. Japan’s economy is weak; automobile sales are flat; the market is shifting towards smaller cars and competition is increasing. GM Japan’s participation in JAMA will bring added value to the association and even a stronger sense of unity and mission to meet the challenges facing the auto industry,” said William C. Duncan, General Director, JAMA USA.

GM Japan became eligible to join JAMA with its production of the new Chevrolet “Cruze,” a small car which is built jointly in Japan with Suzuki Motor Corp. GM Japan is a wholly owned subsidiary of Detroit-based General Motors Corp. (GM).

The newsletter’s quarterly “Executive Highlights” features the newly appointed CEO for GM Japan, Raymond Grigg. Mr. Grigg told Japan Auto Trends “I would like to contribute to the Japanese auto industry by utilizing GM’s resources all over the world.”

The newsletter also reports that BMW, Land Rover and Ford have announced optimistic sales forecasts and unveiled new marketing plans aimed at bolstering their stake in the Japanese vehicle market. BMW said it expects at least a 10 percent gain in unit volume this year primarily because of the launch of its remodeled 7 series and the all-new Mini as well as a new on-line ordering system for its local dealer network.

Land Rover, which Ford owns along with Jaguar and Volvo, plans to increase the number of dealership outlets from 73 to 115. Ford plans to sell 25,000 passenger cars by 2005. According to Ford, a key to growth is the introduction of the new-generation Fiesta subcompact in 2003.
Other stories featured in today’s newsletter include:

• The quest for viable fuel-cell technology;

• The popularity of small and mini cars in Japan;

• Honda’s brisk sales of its subcompact “Fit;”

• The merger of the Japan Motor Industrial Federation (JMIF) and the Japan Federation of Automotive Employers’ Associations (JFAEA) into JAMA this May.