Motoryzacja

U.S. sales of cars and trucks edged to a seasonally adjusted annual sales rate of 11.78 million in March -- a little short of the 12-million-plus rate several analysts had expected. The seasonally adjusted annual sales rate, or SAAR, indicates what sales would total for the year if demand remained constant over 12 months, adjusting for seasonal factors.

New-car sales in March will likely fall to the slowest annual pace in at least 39 years when they are announced Wednesday, analysts predict, but the market could be at or near the bottom if the stock market sustains its recent rebound.

Despite hopes that auto sales have bottomed, cautious consumers and more careful lenders contributed to a weaker-than-expected annual selling rate of 9.7 million vehicles in June. That was down 28% from June 2008, and 7% lower than May's annual pace of 9.9 million.

Despite hopes that auto sales have bottomed, manufacturers reported a weaker-than-expected annual selling rate of 9.7 million vehicles in June.

New car sales in March will likely fall to the slowest annual pace in at least 39 years when they are announced Wednesday, analysts predict.