The Automotive Supplier Sentiment Index slipped to 68.5 in November from 70.8 in the previous survey as the number of respondents "significantly more optimistic" fell and the number with "unchanged" expectations increased.

The index is produced every two months by the Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA), Troy, Mich.

This decreased optimism comes as a result of uncertainty over first-quarter 2010 vehicle sales and production forecasts as well as...