auto industry outlook

General Motors reported Wednesday that sales fell 25% in August, as consumers held back from buying autos amid the lackluster economy. For the month, GM said it sold 185,176 vehicles, compared to 246,479 a year ago, a decline of 24.9%. Among its four core brands -- Chevrolet, GMC, Buick and...

December may go down as one of 2009's better months for car sales thanks to a late rush by bargain-hunters. A major factor is a big sale by Pontiac and Saturn, which comes as General Motors prepares to shut down the struggling brands.