5 Firms Accused of Dumping Trucks in U.S.

A group representing the Big Three U.S. auto makers said today it has evidence that five Japanese makers are dumping small pickup trucks on the U.S. market and that the practice has injured domestic manufacturers and workers.

The evidence is contained in a study commissioned by the Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Assn. on behalf of General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler Corp.

“The study analysts concluded that the effect of this dumping margin was something on the order of 140,000 lost units of production to U.S. manufacturers,” MVMA President Thomas Hanna said.

$500 Million Lost

“That relates to about $500 million in lost wages, profits and sales,” he said.

Hanna said the U.S. makers are asking their government to begin negotiations with the Japanese government toward ending the practice.

The study found that dumping is being practiced by Toyota, Nissan, Isuzu, Mazda and Mitsubishi and that the five companies are selling the vehicles for 10% to 48% less in the United States than in their home market.

The study was hand-delivered late Tuesday afternoon to Commerce Secretary C. William Verity, Hanna said.

Dumping is illegal under trade agreements between the United States and its overseas partners, but U.S. manufacturers must prove the dumping has caused injury before the government can take action.