EXHIBIT 99(A)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                             CONTACT:
                                                           Jim Simonton
                                                           (614) 870-5018


          CORE MOLDING TECHNOLOGIES, INC. ANNOUNCES NEW LABOR AGREEMENT

         Columbus, Ohio - August 17, 2004 - Core Molding Technologies, Inc.
(AMEX: CMT) today announced that a new labor agreement has been reached with
Scioto Lodge No. 1471 of the International Association of Machinists and
Aerospace Workers (IAM) at its Columbus, Ohio manufacturing facility. The new
three-year agreement ended the strike, which began on August 7, 2004.

         "We are pleased to have resumed normal operations at the Columbus, Ohio
facility at 10PM on August 16, 2004 and remain committed to maintaining positive
relations with our employees," said James L. Simonton, president and chief
executive officer.

         Core Molding Technologies, Inc. is a compounder of sheet molding
composites (SMC) and molder of fiberglass reinforced plastics. The Company's
processing capabilities include the compression molding of SMC, vacuum assisted
resin infusion molding, spray up and hand lay up processes. The Company produces
high quality fiberglass reinforced, molded products and SMC materials for varied
markets, including medium and heavy-duty trucks, automobiles, personal
watercraft and other commercial products. Core Molding Technologies, with its
headquarters in Columbus, Ohio, operates plants in Columbus, Gaffney, South
Carolina, and Matamoros, Mexico.

   This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the
   meaning of the federal securities laws. As a general matter, forward-looking
   statements are those focused upon future plans, objectives or performance as
   opposed to historical items and include statements of anticipated events or
   trends and expectations and beliefs relating to matters not historical in
   nature. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and
   are subject to uncertainties and factors relating to Core Molding
   Technologies' operations and business environment, all of which are difficult
   to predict and many of which are beyond Core Molding Technologies' control.
   These uncertainties and factors could cause Core Molding Technologies' actual
   results to differ materially from those matters expressed in or implied by
   such forward-looking statements.

   Core Molding Technologies believes that the following factors, among others,
   could affect its future performance and cause actual results to differ
   materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements made
   in this press release: business conditions in the plastics, transportation,
   watercraft and commercial product industries; general economic conditions in
   the markets in which Core Molding Technologies operates; dependence upon four
   major customers as the primary source of


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   Core Molding Technologies' sales revenues; recent efforts of Core Molding
   Technologies to expand its customer base; failure of Core Molding
   Technologies' suppliers to perform their contractual obligations; the
   availability of raw materials; inflationary pressures; new technologies;
   competitive and regulatory matters; labor relations; the loss or inability of
   Core Molding Technologies to attract key personnel; the availability of
   capital; the ability of Core Molding Technologies to provide on-time delivery
   to customers, which may require additional shipping expenses to ensure
   on-time delivery or otherwise result in late fees; risk of cancellation or
   rescheduling of orders; and management's decision to pursue new products or
   businesses which involve additional costs, risks or capital expenditures.


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