A Look at What’s in Store for Business and Workers : It won’t be dull, that’s for sure. The new year will see dramatic changes for U.S. industry and the American worker. Business writers at The Times polled experts on what is likely to happen in 1989. Here is their report. : AUTOS

The auto industry may see the first real signs of the long expected “car glut” in 1989. By next fall, virtually all of the Japanese companies will be producing cars in the United States--seven Japanese-managed assembly plants will then be open.

Higher prices and stiffer competition from the domestic industry will prevent the Japanese from shipping all of the cars here from Japan they are permitted under quotas, but their huge new American plants will still help them expand their presence in the market. The new production capacity, coupled with increased imports from nations such as South Korea, may put a real squeeze on car prices--and on the domestic auto makers. General Motors may be forced to close more plants.

Still, car and light truck sales should top the 15 million mark in 1989, with car sales over 10 million units. Higher interest rates and heavy consumer debt will likely cause a slight decline in sales from 1988, but certain sectors--especially the sports utility, mini-van and performance car segments of the market--should fare well.

Auto exports should increase as well, thanks to the cheap dollar. The Big Three auto makers, plus Honda and Mazda, are all planning to expand their exports from their American operations.