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- <text id=93TT1632>
- <title>
- May 10, 1993: Detroit Plays Down A Miniboom
- </title>
- <history>
- TIME--The Weekly Newsmagazine--1993
- May 10, 1993 Ascent of a Woman: Hillary Clinton
- </history>
- <article>
- <source>Time Magazine</source>
- <hdr>
- THE WEEK
- BUSINESS, Page 23
- Detroit Plays Down A Miniboom
- </hdr>
- <body>
- <p> The Big Three report a profitable first quarter but avoid
- gloating
- </p>
- <p> For the first time since suffering combined losses of $13
- billion over the past three years, the Big Three U.S. auto
- manufacturers have each begun to show signs of a rebound.
- Following a dazzling string of showroom hits that increased
- sales this year by 25%, Chrysler reported first-quarter earnings
- of $530 million. Ford's gains have been steadier, but it still
- managed to double analysts' predictions with net earnings of
- $572 million. Even General Motors turned a financial corner with
- quarterly profits of $513 million. Still, all three companies
- tempered their reports with downbeat expressions of caution.
- Ford's chairman, Harold A. Poling, complained of "weak
- economies, intense competition and excess industry capacity."
- </p>
- <p> Why the gloom amid a boomlet? Detroit automakers are
- seeking major concessions from the Administration, particularly
- on trade issues involving the Japanese, and are entering a
- summer of tough bargaining talks with the United Auto Workers.
- In other words, too much good news too soon could cost them
- gains on other issues.
- </p>
-
- </body>
- </article>
- </text>
-
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