1.   Although some auto executives have publicly questioned whether a problem exists, he said, the industry had begun working quickly to create better designs.

2.   An auto executive, who insisted on anonymity, said the political consequences were not a major concern of the companies in contract negotiations this fall.

3.   Analysts sense a change in attitude among auto executives.

4.   And even auto executives concede that it will be harder to make money.

5.   And only last winter did the favorite country club of auto executives agree, after considerable controversy, to admit its second and third black members.

6.   And it authorizes the secretary of transportation to seek criminal penalties, including jail terms, for auto executives who deliberately misinform regulators about safety defects.

7.   And while many auto executives say they worry about whether their products are affordable, a few are actually offering cheaper replacements for discontinued models.

8.   As investors hurriedly bid up auto stocks late in the day, auto executives clearly felt vindicated.

9.   Auto executives and economists said the biggest reason is that buyers still feel confident about the economy and still have money to spend.

10.   Auto executives believe that despite the slower results last month, sales will hold up for the rest of the year.