The auto industry is a major leader of the national economy. When autos sag, the economy slows. Which one is the cause and which the effect is not clear, it is somewhat symbiotic. Autos weaken, economy slows, other sectors, including housing follow. The question is how long and how deep the effects.
Actually TOTAL US car sales are up..including import brands.
Why are Toyota, BMW, and M/B expanding their US plants if auto sales are bad?
The lower dollar. MB recently made the decision not to sell the B Class in the United States...but they are expanding their plant in Alabama. (They just killed the C Coupe in the US, due to poor sales)
>>>Why are Toyota, BMW, and M/B expanding their US plants if auto sales are bad?
That does not conflict with a slowing. Growth of new car sales is down, and some models, the big profit leaders, are not moving as well as hoped. Prices rose steadily and massively for several years, but now there are price cuts and they cannot increase sales by offering huge interest bargains since they have been doing that all along. Used car lots have sprung up all over town, and sales are good.