GM's August 2003 U.S. Vehicle Sales Off 1/2%

DETROIT, Sept 3, 2003; Reuters reported that General Motors Corp. said its U.S. August sales fell 0.5 percent, and the automaker increased third-quarter production.

GM said truck sales of 284,129 were up 5 percent over a year ago, while car sales of 188,298 were down 8 percent due to a drop in fleet sales. The totals include sales of heavy commercial trucks and Saab cars.

GM added 10,000 vehicles to its third-quarter North American production plan, raising the total to 1.235 million vehicles. It also set its fourth-quarter North American production estimate at 1.35 million vehicles, a 5 percent decline from the same period a year ago.