EXHIBIT 99(a)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                CONTACT:
                                                     Jim Simonton
                                                     (614) 870-5018
                                                     John Kompa
                                                     (614) 734-8366

             CORE MOLDING TECHNOLOGIES, INC. ANNOUNCES STRIKE AT ITS
                            COLUMBUS, OHIO OPERATION

     Columbus, Ohio - August 9, 2004 - Core Molding Technologies, Inc. (AMEX:
CMT) today announced that a strike has been called by Scioto Lodge No. 1471 of
the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) at its
Columbus, Ohio manufacturing facility.

     The Union voted for the strike on August 7th after its membership failed to
ratify an agreement reached between Core and the Union's negotiating committee.
Workers at the company's facilities in Matamoras, Mexico, and Gaffney, South
Carolina, are not involved in the work stoppage.

     "We are committed to maintaining positive relations with our employees,"
said James L. Simonton, president and chief executive officer. "We are equally
committed to keeping the commitments made to our customers and will strive to
minimize any disruptions to delivery schedules."

     Core's Columbus facility expects continued operations using salaried staff
and employees not covered by the IAM agreement to enable it to meet customer
commitments.

     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

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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 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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