Vehicle sales have been less than stellar in recent months, disappointing some analysts. But the industry is gradually improving in a broad trend that is benefiting nearly all automakers -- including the Big Three, which have returned from the brink.
Demand for new cars and trucks should be better than it was a year ago. But expectations now are for lower sales than in August, itself unimpressive. That would leave autos stuck in a four-month-long rut.
U.S. auto sales started off strong over the Labor Day holiday weekend, but have since dropped significantly, according to analysis by car-buying guide Edmunds.com.
Ford and General Motors reported higher sales in January, with Ford fleet sales surging 154%. Detroit's gains came as consumers avoided the showrooms of the largest Japanese competitor, Toyota, which is mired in massive recall involving millions of vehicles.