Washington, D.C.–October 15, 2004– Members of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) are continuing to invest heavily in the American economy through their operation of auto and auto parts manufacturing plants, research and development facilities and dealerships, according to Japan's Automobile Manufacturers: Growing Investment and Employment in America, a new report published by JAMA.

The report, which JAMA publishes annually, reveals that in 2003 JAMA members:

• Employed 56,336 persons in their manufacturing plants, a 412 percent increase over the 11,000 employed in 1987.
• Cumulatively invested nearly $26 billion in U.S. auto and auto parts manufacturing plants, a 133 percent increase since 1993 when total contributions equaled $11 billion. The number of plants grew from 11 in 1993 to 20 today and will grow to 23 by 2006.
• Produced about 2.9 million vehicles in the U.S. in 2003, a nearly five-fold increase over the 617,000 cars and trucks built in 1986.
• Purchased a record-setting $41.51 billion in U.S. auto parts, a nearly 17-fold increase over the $2.49 billion in purchases in fiscal 1986.
• Employed 334,289 Americans at their 7,077 U.S. dealerships, an increase over the 281,000 employees working at 6,400 dealerships in 1993.
• Grew their R&D staff from 200 in 1987 to 3,100 in 2003.

On releasing the report, JAMA USA General Director William C. Duncan said, "The JAMA member companies are part of the fabric of America. Not only do they contribute to employment and investment in America, but they also contribute as leaders in automotive quality, safety, fuel economy, productivity and environmental technology."

JAMA member companies include Daihatsu Motor Co., Fuji Heavy Industries (Subaru), Hino Motors, Honda Motor Co., Isuzu Motors, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Mazda Motor Corporation, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, Mitsubishi Fuso Truck & Bus Corporation, Nissan Diesel Motor Co., Nissan Motor Co., Suzuki Motor Corporation, Toyota Motor Corporation, and Yamaha Motor Co.

The brochure is available on the JAMA Web site, www.jama.org. JAMA, located in Tokyo, has offices in Washington, D.C., Brussels, Beijing and Singapore.