81.   While Nissan contends that the job cuts are a response to the steady consolidation among dealerships, auto analysts suspect that that element is only part of the story.

82.   While the revenue and unit sales figures match expectations, the profit outlook is overly conservative, said Georg Stuerzer, auto industry analyst at Bayerische Vereinsbank in Munich.

83.   Asked to explain how his TV career took him from long-sideburned California teen to auto analyst, Priestly laughed.

84.   Auto analysts said it is unlikely DaimlerChrysler would break up anytime soon.

85.   Auto analysts say Japanese consumers are beginning to be more cost-conscious about their car inspections, and point to the growth of discount parts suppliers.

86.   Auto analysts say new car sales and showroom traffic in Europe have slowed in the wake of the attacks, as they did in the United States.

87.   But in a report published today, auto analysts told the Post there appeared to be something about the Explorer that may be contributing to the accidents.

88.   But Enda Clarke, an auto analyst at Dresdner Kleinwort Benson Asia in Tokyo, said signs of a turnaround at Mazda will not be apparent until next year.

89.   But in a report published Monday, auto analysts told the Post there appeared to be something about the Explorer that may be contributing to the accidents.

90.   Christian Breitsprecher, an auto analyst with Deutsche Bank in Frankfurt, said it was too early to say whether the comeback plan was working.