Auto sales plunge in June, but GM keeps U.S. sales lead

[FV_bot]

Auto sales plunge in June, but GM keeps U.S. sales lead

Auto sales plunged in June as consumers, whacked by rocketing gasoline prices and a weak economy, stayed off car lots.

[Rippin508]

I wonder when GM, Ford and Chrysler will start to make more fuel efficient vehicles.

[Russ]

actually...From today's Autobeat Daily.

NEW-CAR BUYERS FRET ABOUT FUEL ECONOMY.
New cars aren’t quite as appealing this year as they were in
2007 because buyers are preoccupied by high fuel costs,
according to the new J.D. Power and Associates Automotive
Performance, Execution and Layout Study.
The 13-year-old APEAL survey ranks vehicles
according to their owners’ views about such vehicle
attributes such as design and features within the first 90
days of ownership.
This year’s report says new owners are getting the
mileage they expected from their new vehicles, but the high
cost of a fill-up leaves them less satisfied with fuel economy
than a year ago. As a result, J.D. Power says, the industrywide
APEAL average slipped 2% this year.
The study says domestic nameplates accounted for the eight most-improved brands this year, led by Buick,
Chrysler and Ford. Toyota’s Scion brand posted the
largest drop, and Subaru and Suzuki tied for worst score.
At the OEM level, Porsche was the this year’s highest-
ranking manufacturer among the 36 OEMs evaluated,
thus retaining its leadership for the fourth
consecutive year. J.D. Power notes that luxury brand
scores reflect an emphasis on style, performance and
features rather than fuel economy