Big Three Car Sales Fall 29.1%

Late-January car sales by the nation’s Big Three auto makers fell 29.1% over the corresponding period a year ago, the companies reported today.

No. 1 General Motors Corp. said sales dropped 34.6%; second-ranked Ford Motor Co. reported a 16.1% decline and third-ranked Chrysler Corp.’s sales were down 27.1%. Sales by the three companies have been lower this year following high sales in late 1986 as customers sought to take advantage of low-cost financing deals offered by the auto makers and to beat the end of the sales-tax deduction under federal tax reform.