EXHIBIT 99(A)

         FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                              CONTACT:
                                                            Herman F. Dick, Jr.
                                                            (614) 870-5604

                        CORE MOLDING TECHNOLOGIES REPORTS
                       REFINANCING OF SECURED NOTE PAYABLE

COLUMBUS, Ohio - January 6, 2004 - Core Molding Technologies, Inc. (AMEX: CMT)
today announced the refinancing of its secured note payable.

The Company retired its $18,059,000, 8% interest rate secured note, payable to
International Truck and Engine Corporation through the use of cash and the
proceeds of a new $9,000,000, seven-year, Libor based term loan secured from
KeyBank. The note was previously due on December 31, 2006. In order to minimize
the effect of interest rate fluctuations on its operations, the Company also
entered into an interest rate swap agreement, whereby the Company will pay a
fixed rate of 5.75% to swap the Libor based interest rate provided in the new
financing agreement.

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 compounding and compression molding of SMC, vacuum
assisted resin infusion molding, spray up and lay up processes. The Company
produces high quality fiberglass reinforced, molded products and SMC compound
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 quarterly report: business conditions in the plastics, transportation,
watercraft and commercial product


                                       v



industries; general economic conditions in the markets in which Core Molding
Technologies operates; dependence upon four major customers as the primary
source of 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; 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.


                                      # # #




                                       vi