Car Sales Decline In US Market In August

VOA News
September 1, 2010 at 4:40 pm

Car sales fell drastically for most of the major companies that sell cars in the United States during August.

Wednesday’s reports from car companies showed Toyota was off 34 percent, Honda lost 33 percent, and Nissan was off 27 percent compared to the same month a year ago.

Two of the top three U.S.-based automakers also reported sales declines. General Motors, the largest U.S. automaker, saw U.S. sales drop 25 percent compared to last August. Rival Ford Motor Company said its sales slid 11 percent.

Sales in August 2009 were boosted sharply by a government program called “Cash for Clunkers,” that paid drivers who traded in old cars for new, more fuel-efficient models. That program has expired and did not help recent sales.

Unlike other companies, Chrysler said its sales rose in August, posting a seven percent gain.

Chrysler’s sales have risen for the past five months. A company official said the numbers show Chrysler is accomplishing its goal of steady and sustainable growth.

Both Chrysler, which is owned by European carmaker Fiat, and GM got bailout loans from the U.S. government. Some information in this story was provided by AP, AFP and Bloomberg.