US carmakers lagging as Japanese firms beat sales expectations

US carmakers fell short of sales expectations in July as the weak economy continued to weigh on consumer decisions, according to data released Tuesdayç dpa reported.

General Motors Co sales were up 1.5 per cent for the month. A survey of industry analysts by the Bloomberg financial news service had produced an average prediction of a 10-per-cent hike in GM sales. Total deliveries were 199,692, according to a GM statement.

Propped up by the US government, GM emerged from bankruptcy organization in summer 2009.

At Ford Motor Co, July sales were off 0.7 per cent, despite a prediction of a 10-per-cent rise in the same Bloomberg survey. Ford sales were 170,411.

Chrysler Group LLC, the smallest of the three US carmakers, had sales of 93,313 vehicles, booking a small increase that fell short of predictions.

Toyota Motor Corp, still recovering from a brand-damaging major safety recall earlier this year, reported US sales of 169,224 vehicles, a drop of 3.2 per cent but less than forecast in a Bloomberg analyst survey.

Nissan Motor Co sold 82,337 cars, up 15 per cent and well ahead of expectations.

Honda Motor Co sold 112,437 cars, off 2 per cent.

South Korean carmaker Hyundai Motor Co had July sales of 54,106 cars in the US.

Volkswagen sales for the month were 23,900 cars, an increase of 16 per cent.