Chrysler Corp on Tuesday set a 14 per cent higher production schedule for the second quarter, bringing the US Big Three total forecast for cars and trucks to 1 per cent below the 1997 second period.
Chrysler plans to build 801,100 vehicles compared with 704,900 a year ago.
The forecast consists of 561,800 trucks and 239,300 cars and includes the addition of the new Dodge Durango sport/utility vehicle. Last year, Chrysler produced 469,200 trucks and 235,700 cars.
Chryslers production includes vehicles made in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and 21,000-22,000 minivans and sport/utilities produced in Austria.
The Big Three as a group plan to build 3,361,100 vehicles in North America during the second quarter, compared with 3,399,900 a year ago.
Truck output is expected to be up 4 per cent to 1,948,800 units. Cars production is set at 1,412,300, a 7 per cent decline from last year.
General Motors Corp plans to build 5 per cent fewer vehicles in the second quarter, 1,384,000 compared to 1,459,000.
Ford Motor Co expects to produce 1,176,000 cars and trucks, down 5 per cent from 1,236,000.
For the first quarter, Chrysler revised its production schedule downward slightly Tuesday to 805,000, reflecting 577,500 trucks and 227,500 cars. The previous forecast called for 580,700 trucks and 224,600 cars, for a total of 805,300.
The Big Three now expect to make 3,265,000 vehicles for the first period, unchanged on a percentage basis from 3,266,100 a year ago.
