61.   The key question will be whether OPEC will be able to secure firm commitments for production cuts both inside and outside the organization.

62.   The last chance of a quick fix was dashed recently when OPEC, which once had a stranglehold on supply, failed to agree on production cuts.

63.   The November sales figures show the weakest growth this year, setting the stage for further production cuts.

64.   The oil-producing nations have limited their output, and they signalled yesterday that they intend to adhere to promised production cuts.

65.   The production cuts reflect a bid by Samsung to cope with slower growth throughout Asia by trimming costs while still sheltering its operations in Korea.

66.   The sharp production cuts in the first quarter of this year allowed automakers to reduce inventories much more swiftly than in previous economic slowdowns.

67.   The ratio has risen sharply, which suggests production cuts by manufacturers are coming.

68.   Then, with the collusion of Mexico and Norway, neither of them members of OPEC, Saudi Arabia arranged a concerted round of production cuts.

69.   They have also prompted production cuts and idled plants, and contributed to the resignation this week of Jacques A. Nasser, the chief executive of Ford.

70.   Those exports may pick up in coming months as prices recover owing to a production cut by Samsung Electronics Co. and other leading manufacturers.