31.   American car makers still worry about the unfair advantage enjoyed by Japanese firms operating from a protected and profitable home market and thus able to afford losses abroad.

32.   Among major European car makers, only Mercedes-Benz, the auto division of Daimler-Benz in Germany, has never shut down in summer.

33.   Although the ruling favored car makers, some environmentalists were somewhat optimistic.

34.   American car makers, inspired by the recent popularity of big cars and trucks, are planning even larger models with equally gigantic sticker prices.

35.   Although there are periodic rumors that Porsche could be acquired by a larger company, the German car maker is not presently owned by anybody else.

36.   American car makers certify their own products, while governments perform that job in Europe.

37.   Analysts said demand from U.S. car battery makers usually picks up from July while buying from Europe begins in September.

38.   And environmentalists once-reliable targets, from car makers to forest clearcutters are claiming to be green.

39.   And after generating strong sales with rebates and special promotions, car makers saw sales level off or decline last month.

40.   And if conditions improve enough, Russia may grow irresistible to foreign car makers which have viewed it until now as too wild a place for large-scale direct investment.