Sales of American-Made Cars Down 12.7%

Sales of North American-made cars and light trucks tumbled 12.7% in mid-April, further stalling a hoped-for recovery for the beleaguered industry, figures indicated Wednesday.

Auto makers have been looking for relief from miserable sales and a sign that the latest trough in the cyclical auto industry may have bottomed out. But it appeared they will continue waiting.

Nine of the 10 major U.S. auto makers said they sold cars and light trucks at an average daily rate of 25,342 during the April 11-20 period this year, compared to a daily average of 29,727 during the same time last year.

General Motors Corp. said car and truck sales skidded 14.9% and Ford Motor Co.’s domestic vehicle sales plummeted 22.9%.

Mid-April was brighter for Japanese companies making vehicles in North America. Their sales rose 13.1%.