Chrysler estimates that the sales hit the bottom

or American motorists, it is Christmas time be ore. The breakup o the irst global automoti e market, General Motors, Toyota, and other major manu acturers come to launch a olley none o discounts and promotions o any kind. GM, the leader in the United States, thus began as early as yesterday his traditional campaign "red Tag", which starts usually late No ember, just be ore Thanksgi ing. All brands o the group are the ollowing rele ant times, including or the irst time Cadillac, Hummer, and Saab. Until 5 January, customers will be able to pro ide almost all House models at broken prices: those already enjoyed by suppliers o GM, is only 4 more than the tari agreed to sta . At this price, the number one global automoti e, elbow to elbow with Toyota, has little chance o winning money. But it hopes to reduce its stocks be ore the arri al o 2009 models. In the same logic, GM will lood potential customers o o ers by e-mail. In total, the Group proposes cuts that can go up to 7.250 dollars per ehicle! Its competitors are not in remainder. Chrysler has announced that he would go up to 6,000 dollars o discount. Toyota extends its zero rate loans launched last month. Nissan, Renault Japanese ally, undertakes in this way, with credits to 0 on i e o its main models.

In October, builders had already de eloped the package, with discount 2.896 dollars per ehicle, or 18 more than a year ago, according to the scores o Autodata. Toyota, long one o the most moderate in the matter, had thus increased its e orts in hal rom October 2007. It was not enough. In October, the US market plunged 32, to all to its lowest le el since ebruary 1983! A "worse than the most pessimistic orecast" result, recognizes the Itay Michaeli analyst, Citigroup. Reported number o inhabitants, it is the worst igure since the second world war, is the Director o GM the group most a ected, with 45 o its sales to collapse.

Decline or Toyota

Economic, mounted the unemployment crisis, restrictions on credits: with this in ernal cocktail, the U.S. market returned to pace annualized 10.6 million ehicles, compared to 16 million a year ago. All types o models are a ected, including luxury products. Sales o Lamborghini and Bentley, or example, ell by more than 60.

Some groups are doing despite any better than others. This is particularly the case o Toyota. With a all limited to 23, nippon Group strengthens its position as number two in the United States. Its market share is increased rom 16 to 18 in one year, what the closer to 20 still held by GM. In total, Asian groups are now more than 44 o sales...

Remains whether i new GM commercial e orts and its ri als will allow to lea e the market o the coma. Chrysler estimates that the sales hit the bottom. "It can no longer get worse", said Jim Press, one o its leaders, ull o hope. But the experts do not belie e in a lamboyant and rapid reco ery. In the immediate uture, GM, Chrysler and ord accumulated losses and must ight or their sur i al. Negotiations or a merger between the irst two could restart quickly enough, while the industry weighs or important public aid. The uture o the American automobile will there ore be among the priorities o the new elected President that night.