An increasing number of luxury car owners are trading in their top-of-the-line models for lower level luxuries or non-luxury models due to higher fuel prices. Sales of mid-level luxury cars increased in October.
Fleet sales to daily rental car companies, governments, and businesses in October were the Big-3 automaker's lifeline after an otherwise dismal retail decline. Sales to fleets represented more than 25% of the light vehicle market last month.
The governors of 25 states who do not currently have primary safety belt laws in place were asked by ATA to push for regulations allowing police officers to stop and issue citations to motorists not wearing safety belts. A current survey shows only 48% usage among truck drivers.