41.   Auto executives and dealers blame the slowdown on fairly high interest rates and the steep descent of the Nasdaq composite stock index.

42.   Auto executives and dealers were jubilant about the strength of the market last month.

43.   Auto executives and economists for the Big Three said they did not see a downturn on the horizon, though they expect one will come eventually.

44.   Auto executives declined to discuss specific negotiating positions on how to control costs.

45.   Auto executives emphasized that they had been expecting a slowdown in the industry because of surveys showing a decline in consumer confidence but were disappointed beyond expectations.

46.   Auto executives have come to believe that as quality, technology and costs even out among manufacturers, design will be left as the most important selling point.

47.   Auto executives in Detroit have been increasingly interested in spinning off small stakes in large subsidiaries to help investors put a value on their holdings.

48.   Auto executives say lower-voltage hybrids offer many of the advantages of full hybrids at a small fraction of the cost.

49.   Auto executives say they are responding to a market dominated by affluent consumers who want big vehicles with lots of power.

50.   Big Three auto executives are strongly opposed to any such automatic adjustments.