CARS

A look at the creation of a new automobile from planning and prototype-testing through assembly, delivery, and dealer prep, with a spread near the end on racing cars. Since no particular model or plant is described, Sullivan writes in generalities, though he does mention innovations such as robots and quality circles, focuses on a few individual workers, and describes the exquisitely complex planning needed to keep an auto plant running smoothly. Browsers expecting to see pictures of cars will be disappointed: there aren't many; instead, they'll be treated to a series of undramatic factory scenes that look as if they were painted from photos. Despite the book's large size, many pages seem cramped, with illustrations battling boxes of text for space. Stick with Sutton's Car (1990, ``Eyewitness'' series). Index. (Nonfiction. 8-11)