U.S. Automakers Expected to Post Drop in December Sales; Toyota Will Post Gain

Three U.S. automakers are expected to post another drop in U.S. vehicle sales in December despite aggressive incentives, analysts said in a recent note, as reported by Reuters.

 Toyota will post another gain when automakers report sales results on Wed., Jan. 4, 2006, according to analysts.

Toyota an other Asian automakers have been increasing their share of the U.S. market, stealing sales from Ford and General Motors, which have been struggling with issues ranging from excess inventory to a shift in consumer buying away from larger sport utility vehicles.

GM could see sales decline about 8% in December, said Merrill Lynch analyst John Casesa. Sales at Ford are expected to fall as much as 14.5%, while DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler division will decline in the range of 2% to 6%, analysts forecast.

Toyota will see an increase in sales from ranging from 2% to 7% in December, said analysts.