BRIEFING - ASIA AUTOMOTIVE - JULY 26, 2005.

(From Asia Pulse)

An executive briefing on the automotive industry for July 26, 2005, prepared by Asia Pulse (http://www.asiapulse.com), the real-time, Asia-based wire with exclusive news, commercial intelligence and business opportunities.

CHINA'S AUTO TRADE MAINTAINS SURPLUS IN JAN-APR

BEIJING - The latest statistics indicate China's auto trade volume kept a surplus in the first four months of 2005, after the last quarter of 2004.

Experts said the surplus is a good sign of China's autos marching into the world market, but issues such as intellectual property rights, domestic market exploration still need deep consideration.

YUAN REVALUATION GOOD FOR JAPAN AUTO INDUSTRY: JAMA CHAIRMAN

TOKYO - The revaluation of the yuan promises growth in the automobile market, according to Itaru Koeda, chairman of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA).

"The development of the Chinese economy will lead to an expansion of the automobile market," said Koeda, who also serves as co-chairman of Nissan Motor Co. (TSE:7201), at a scheduled press conference on Monday.

JAPAN'S NSK RIDS AUTOPARTS OF TOXIC CHEMICALS 1 YR BEFORE EU BAN

TOKYO - NSK Ltd. (TSE:6471) has stopped using six hazardous substances in automotive parts products in order to comply with …