1992 Model Vehicle Sales Prove Flat : Autos: A total of 12.9 million cars and truck are sold, compared to 12.8 million in 1991.

Sales of cars and trucks slipped 1.3% in September, bringing the disappointing 1992 model year to an unimpressive close, U.S. auto makers reported Monday.

A year ago, following the worst model sales year since 1983, the industry was full of optimism, with experts predicting a slow but steady turnaround in 1992. But the sputtering U.S. economy continued to dampen consumer interest in big-ticket purchases.

U.S. makers once counted on annual sales of 14 million to 15 million vehicles a year, but 1992’s total of 12.9 million car and truck sales was little improved from the 12.8 million sold in 1991.

As a result, dealers, analysts and industry executives were more cautious in their forecasts for the 1993 model year.

“We’ve all been expecting a rebound to occur in the last few months, and it hasn’t materialized,” said Christopher Cedergren, an analyst at AutoPacific Group in Santa Ana, Calif. “The bottom line is, business is not good, and for the next year to 18 months, it’s going to be a rough ride.”

A bright spot in Monday’s figures was truck sales, which rose 7% to 4.7 million for the model year, up from 4.4 million a year earlier. Strong truck sales helped offset sluggish car sales, which slipped 3% to 8.2 million units in the September-September period.

During the final days of September, sales of domestically built cars slid 3.2%, while truck sales were flat compared to the year-earlier period.

“We are hoping that as consumers study our value pricing initiatives, they will respond favorably to our 1993 model offerings,” said Michael Losh, General Motors’ vice president for sales and marketing.

Losh’s comments reflect the industry’s realization that consumers are still wary about buying new cars, even as the economy shows small signs of improvement. It takes more than 100,000 miles on the odometer to bring motorists to dealer showrooms these days, and even standard sales tactics such as discounts and rebates don’t always work.

The Big Three U.S. makers have announced 1993 price increases that are more modest than in prior years. But their ability to keep prices in line depends largely on production costs, and a study released Monday indicates that Ford Motor Co. is well ahead of GM and Chrysler in that area.

Harbour & Associates, a manufacturing consulting firm that conducted the study, said Ford needed an average of just three workers to assemble a vehicle, compared to 3.76 for Chrysler Corp. and 4.55 for GM.

In September, GM’s vehicle sales fell 5.4%, while Ford’s remained virtually flat compared to September, 1991. Chrysler’s sales jumped 13.2%. Among Japanese auto makers, Toyota’s sales for September rose 8%, while Honda posted a 5.9% decline and Nissan’s sales fell 5.2%.

Auto Sales

Seasonally adjusted annual rates for all vehicles sold in the United States. Domestic figures include cars and trucks built in the United States by Japanese auto makers. The figures use seasonal patterns to predict the auto industry’s sales rate over a full year.

Auto Sales Flat

Sales of cars and trucks slipped 1.3% in September, bringing the disappointing 1992 model year to a characteristically unimpressive close. In an industry where 14 million to 15 million sales a year is believed to be the norm, 1992’s 12.9 million total model year sales were virtually flat with 1991’s paltry showing of 12.8 million. Here are the 10 best-selling cars in the 1992 model year. Complete story, D3

Passenger Car Sales Honda Accord 387,881 Ford Taurus 347,534 Toyota Camry 277,792 Ford Escort 244,231 Chevrolet Lumina 219,120 Honda Civic 217,832 Ford Tempo 213,352 Chevy Cavalier 212,675 Toyota Corolla 206,560 Pontiac Grand Am 198,596