Auto Retail Chains Continue to Cut Orders of Detroit Three Vehicles

Washington DC November 2, 2006; The AIADA newsletter reported that the nation's top auto retail chains are continuing to back away from domestic vehicles in favor of faster selling international nameplate brands, reports The Detroit News.

Yesterday, Group 1 Automotive announced plans to scale back orders for American-made cars in 2007.

Sonic Automotive said its domestic sales are doing well and they will not cut orders, though international nameplate and luxury brands make up a larger portion of the company's revenue.

The top selling brands at the company are Toyota and GM, each at 18.9 percent; Honda at 16.5 percent; and BMW at 14.8 percent.

AutoNation announced last week that it may order up to 30 percent fewer vehicles from GM, Ford, and Chrysler in the fourth quarter of '06.