Early Month Auto Sales Off: Sales of...

Early Month Auto Sales Off: Sales of U.S.-made cars and light trucks dipped 0.6% in early September, compared to a year ago, as two Japan-based companies reported substantial declines, the companies said. A 3.1% rise in light truck sales during the Sept. 1-10 period this year was offset by a 2.8% decline in car sales. Cars made by Honda Motor Co. at its Marysville, Ohio, plant sold at a rate 36% below last year’s during the period. Nissan Motor Corp. said sales of cars and trucks from its Smyrna, Tenn., plant were down 75.7% in early September, with Sentra car sales off 79.1% and pickup truck sales down 72.1%. Combined, the eight auto makers reported selling cars and trucks at an average daily rate of 30,333 vehicles during the period this year, compared to a 30,522 vehicle daily rate during the same time last year.

AUTO SALES

Sep. 1-10 % 7-Day 1989 change GM 66,445 + 1.7 Ford 37,044 - 6.6 Chrysler 19,007 + 6.7 Honda U.S. 5,412 -36.0 Mitsubishi U.S. 969 * Nissan U.S. 701 -79.1 Toyota U.S. 1,917 +169.1 Mazda U.S. 509 + 15.0 TOTAL 132,004 -2.8

There were 7 selling days in the selling period this year and 8 selling days last year. *No comparison available.