Sales of U.S.-Made Vehicles Off 2.1% in Early October

Sales of North American-made cars and light trucks fell 2.1% in early October, continuing a slump that began when the 1989 model year ended last September, the companies said Monday.

The auto makers sold cars and trucks during the Oct. 1-10 period at an average daily rate of 30,096, compared to a rate of 30,734 during the same time last year.

Car sales, spurred by an increase among General Motors Corp. vehicles, rose 1.9% while truck sales dropped 9.5%.

Car sales by the Big Three--GM, Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler Corp.--dropped 1.5% while sales of domestically made cars with Japanese nameplates rose 42.6%.

VEHICLE SALES

Oct. 1-10 % change 1990 year to year GM* 124,346 +13.3 Ford* 81,242 -21.3 Chrysler* 42,992 -10.8 Honda U.S. 9,313 +22.5 Mitsubishi U.S. 1,092 +6.8 Nissan U.S.* 3,903 +13.7 Toyota U.S. 5,753 +97.4 Mazda U.S.* 1,338 +169.1 Subaru U.S. 299 ** Isuzu U.S.* 582 ** TOTAL 270,860 -2.1

* Includes light truck sales. ** No comparison possible.

There were 9 selling days in the selling period this year and 8 last year. Percentage changes in sales are based on average daily sales during each period rather than comparisons of straight totals.