US auto sales crashed again in December as the industry posted its worst year since 1992 and the Detroit Three saw their annual share of their home market slip beneath 50% for the first time, industry data showed yesterday.
Chrysler lead the way in losses with a 53% monthly drop and Toyota, Honda, GM and Ford posted drops of 31-37%. Total industry sales fell 36% in December to 896,124, which helped drag 2008 sales down 18% to 13.2 million vehicles, according to Autodata.
GM, Ford and Chrysler saw their combined market share fall to just 47.6% from 51.1% in 2007 just days after the Treasury department finalized billions in loans to help prop up cash-strapped GM and Chrysler.
High fuel prices pushed passenger cars sales over the 50% share mark for the first time since 2000 as truck, minivan and sport utility sales slipped to 48.8% of the US market from 53.1% in 2007.
Asian brands, led by Toyota and Honda, saw their market share increase to 44.6% in 2008 from 41.7% in 2007, according to Autodata.
European brands also posted gains, as their share rose to 0.6 points to 7.8%. Tight credit and growing economic uncertainty has kept consumers away from showrooms for months and December's losses were expected to continue well into 2009.
