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US Auto Sales Slow Down

Following several months of increasing sales, the US automotive industry posted a sales figure 10.8 percent down from the May levels, lower than the expectations of the industry players. In all, Americans bought 983,738 vehicles last month, a level which is still 14.4 percent higher than in June last year.

"With the recovery not progressing as expected, it's gut-check time for the automotive industry," Jeff Schuster, global forecaster at J.D. Power & Associates told The LA Times. "The industry's discipline will be put to the test even more in the coming months if a more pronounced recovery doesn't get underway."

The decline was fueled by the somewhat poor performances of the manufacturers present in the US, who, although posting sales figures better than in June 2009, they sold less than in May. Ford sold less than in May, GM witnessed better sales in China than in its home country, while Toyota still battles the ghosts of recalls passed.

“I think it's pretty clear that as we reach the mid-point of 2010, the market remains very challenging and the recovery continues to be at a very gradual and modest pace," Bob Carter, Toyota group vice president told AFP.

The only carmaker which can be 100 percent happy with the June results is Chrysler, after it posted a 35 percent increase in June US sales to 92,482 vehicles and a market share which has reached 5.2 percent.

"Consumer buzz is building tremendously with the arrival of our all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee in dealerships now, as well as the continuing accolades for our new Ram heavy-duty pickup trucks," said Fred Diaz, Chrysler's US sales chief.
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About the author: Daniel Patrascu
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Daniel loves writing (or so he claims), and he uses this skill to offer readers a "behind the scenes" look at the automotive industry. He also enjoys talking about space exploration and robots, because in his view the only way forward for humanity is away from this planet, in metal bodies.
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