GM, Ford will slow production

General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co. cut their North American production plans for the first quarter of 2008 on expectations that the weak demand for cars and trucks will spill into the new year.

Detroit's biggest automakers announced the lower production levels Monday, as monthly sales figures showed that the overall U.S. auto market shrank by 1.6 percent in November.

The fall was due largely to an 11 percent slide in GM sales. Ford Motor Co. reported a 0.6 percent increase in sales — its first uptick after 12 months of declines — and Chrysler LLC reported a 2.1 percent dip. Asian and European auto brand sales were higher overall.

Chrysler did not disclose its production plans, "but next year looks pretty tough," said spokesman Jason Vines. "We'll be adjusting our schedule on a weekly basis."

Executives said demand was particularly soft for big vehicles. Truck sales fell 7.4 percent, while car sales rose 5.5 percent in November, bolstered by the introduction of attractive new models such as the Honda Accord and Chevrolet Malibu.

"The retail decline we experienced in November was entirely in various truck categories," said Mark LaNeve, head of GM's North American sales and marketing. "Almost the entire year-over-year decline can be attributed to full-size pickups and utilities." Detroit News