The big surprise is GM down 16% and they had employee pricing all month long and that number is against the previous month which was bad.  Loans are harder to get because banks are asking for proof of income and other stipulations to get approved.  No more liar loans, they happend in the real estate market just as much in the car business.  When the big compaines offer employee pricing they are getting as much of a share of business in the smallest amount of time. They are just cutting thier own throat.  When consumers see a MSRP of 32000.00 then they can buy the vehicle for 23000.00 (employee pricing) they are going to want that deal all the time.  When that program goes away so do all the consumers.  I believe alot of dealerships will close this next year.  The costs of owning and maintaining a franchise is expensive, especially if you floor the cars.  Having the wrong inventory and interest charges on the inventory that the dealership owns will flat out destroy a dealership.  The companies that are giving the loans to the dealerships are now requiring them to pay off the vehicle after 90 days.  The dealerships that don't have the capital go out trust and from there out of business.  It is true the strong well organized and well capitalized dealerships will survive, but there will be alot of lost jobs on the way.  For those who saved a little wheat in the bin I say good for you and hope the best works out.  

ROBERT ....where do you think the profits from honda and toyota, and the rest of them go..... they may provide jobs..... but it does little for our economy.... and i agree that GM needs to build more fuel-efficent vehicles....

toyota and honda does provide americans with jobs. however,they do not supply them with long term benefits or retirment. also who do you think gave them the land their factories are on,the taxpayers.and FYI ask honda or toyota how much american steel or union workers they used when they built those factories on american soil. ps let's not forget about all those tax dollars they DON'T PAY.

Japanese auto companies have always taken a longer term approach to return on investment than US companies. They have invested in R&D and because of this they developed products that we now see as better value. The US companies have reached for the quick buck and so now here we are. Ford, GM and Chrysler are scrambling to find alternatives to fuel guzzlers.

If you are paying 24% interest you should be happy someone was able to sell you a car.  That rate is indicative of someone with extemely poor credit, who does not pay their billls.

I own 4 Fords, I worked for Ford Dealerships for the last 20 years. Due to downsizing and lack of sales, I lost my job. An insiders view...Ford has no vision, has no idea what the public wants or buys, knee jerks every product decision they make. When they begin to lead the industry with product, that people want, they will become successful...till then...maybe they have another SUV to introduce to the market.

What other business can you see the dealers cost? Just our dumb assess. Our markup has been cut for years and employee purchase for the world is a loser for the dealer other than moving old inventory. Look at the rebates the manufactures can offer on a 40,000.00 vehicle, up to 40%. We pay the manufactures up front for the vehicle, collect our rebates, sell the trade in, profit or loss, and hopefully the down payment check does not bounce and the rebate is paid.  Not to mention floor plan expense, heat light power and payroll.

Carman

Carman,

And all the while the consumer thinks they are being ripped off.  It is the dealerships fault if they can not get a good rate or financing, right???  When are people going to take resposibility for their actions, you don't pay your bills you have bad credit.  It is easier to blame manufacturers than to look at what the unions have done to bleed the manufacturers. It is easier to blame the dealerships than realise that the litegeousness of our society has made it neccessary for dealers to settle than fight costly court battles.  I guess it is easier for society to blame others than take responsibility.

I am a long time ford buyer, they have always provided very good vehicles and support but priced of all are out of control, fifty thousand for a superduty is ridiculous when I paid forty thousand {msrp} in 1999,2000.  They have a super clean 65mpg 5 passenger diesel being marketed in Europe for 24-27 thousand loaded, but will not market it in the USA.  What in the world is ford leadership thinking, that new FLEX is so ugly they can't give it away.  Wake up Ford, you have gone from 2nd in sales to third and dropping. Something has to change.

Hello.

   Perhaps there are too many dealerships pushing too many cars far beyond what people can afford.  A shake-out is in order.  The idea that people are entitled to ride around in huge vehicles and occupy large wooden boxes, in which they do not have a stake but for which they merely make interest payments, is going to become increasingly untenable.  Also, high fuel prices are here to stay.  World oil production is peaking (See www.lifeaftertheoilcrash.net, http://www.peakoil.com, http://www.kunstler.com), demand is growing far more rapidly than supply is, and alternatives will not provide as convenient a power source as oil does.  The easy-motoring drive-in utopia that Americans have seen as their birth-right for the last 60 years is going to gradually disappear to be replaced by a world in which driving is much less democratic.  Fueling one's vehicle will become increasingly expensive and in some cases the fuel will not be available.

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