When you buy an "American-made" car, you are probably buying a car that has an immensely complicated mix of components that were also made in Mexico and Canada. The same is true for many electronics, and advanced textiles like carpeting. The beef in your grocery store might be from a cow that was fattened and slaughtered in the United States, but that was very likely born across the border in Mexico.

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In Germany, Europe's biggest automotive market, August was another month of consolidation and strong performances during the traditionally weak holiday period. Much of the remainder of the year should see fairly robust growth in much of Western Europe, though there may be some tailing off toward the end of the year.

Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc. (TMS) has opened a parts distribution center in Lithia Springs, Ga., near Atlanta. Stocking approximately 43,000 Lexus parts, the facility will serve 27 Lexus dealers in the Southeast, primarily in Atlanta, as well as a five-state area that includes Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama and Tennessee.