[rohry]

Detroit, Dec. 3 (Bloomberg) -- General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler unit reported lower November sales, as discounting drew fewer buyers than in the year- earlier period, when sales hit a record.
Sales at General Motors, the largest automaker, declined 18 percent, while sales dropped 20 percent at Ford and 12 percent at Chrysler.
Ford shares declined as much as 13 percent, the biggest decline in more than a year, after the second-biggest automaker said it will scale back production. Shares of General Motors, the largest automaker, and DaimlerChrysler AG, parent of Chrysler, also fell.
U.S. auto sales have dropped for two months, suggesting the economy must strengthen before sales can resume climbing, some investors said. Ford, General Motors and Chrysler benefited the past year from discounts and no-cost financing aimed at drumming up business after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
``We're seeing there's a limited bang to zero percent'' financing, said Jim Glickenhaus, general partner at Glickenhaus & Co., which manages a $1 billion portfolio that includes General Motors bonds. ``Eventually you get to where everybody who wants to buy a car already has.''

[arete]

There's a new division at Shadow Moss which is now offering new home buyers $10,000 in new furniture to go with the new home. Both the auto and housing market are finally starting to show the first signs of slowing.

Richard W.