Keeping Track: auto sales

A slow month puts industry behind 2001's fast pace

After a strong April, car sales slipped in May.

Car sales were down 7 percent compared with May 2001, while truck sales fell 4 percent. For the year to date, car sales have fallen 8 percent over the same period last year, while truck sales have climbed 1 percent.

Both General Motors and Ford Motor Company reported double-digit sales declines in May. Among Big Three carmakers, only DaimlerChrysler's Chrysler Group reported higher sales, based on higher demand for its minivans, Dodge Ram pickup truck, P. T. Cruiser, and Jeep Liberty.