AUTOMOBILES

Study Says U.S. Trails Japan on Auto Parts: Despite strong demand for vehicles and record profits for U.S. auto suppliers, American components makers are lagging Japanese suppliers in productivity and quality, according to a survey of 71 major auto suppliers worldwide. It found the Japanese continue to lead even though their domestic operations have been slowed by an economic downturn. Japanese suppliers are 20% more productive than U.S. manufacturers and their quality level is 30% higher, according to the study, conducted by the University of Cambridge and the University of Wales’ Cardiff Business School. More than half the $60-billion U.S. trade deficit with Japan is linked to autos and auto parts.