GM, Ford suffer in February

DETROIT -- In a familiar pattern for the nation's two largest automakers, General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co. posted sales declines last month, while Japanese rivals and the smallest of Detroit's Big Three made impressive gains.

Moreover, GM and Ford said yesterday that sales of big trucks and SUVs -- vehicles that provide the highest profits -- were lower last month, apparently the victim of high fuel prices.

And both companies said they'll produce fewer vehicles in the remainder of the first quarter and in the second quarter versus a year ago -- cutbacks that are sure to hurt revenue and profits.

GM, the world's largest automaker, posted a 12.7 percent decline after a slight 1 percent increase in January. Ford, the number two US automaker, said sales of its domestic cars and trucks fell 3 percent in February -- its ninth straight month of lower sales versus a year ago.

But DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler Group said sales rose 7.5 percent on another month of sizzling car business, which was up 21 percent from a year ago. Truck sales rose 4 percent.

Once again, the best reports came from Asian companies. Toyota Motor Corp., Japan's top automaker, said its US arm's sales rose 11 percent from a year ago, while Nissan Motor Co. logged a 10 percent increase -- its best February on record despite a 2 percent decline in car sales.

Honda Motor Co., hurt in part by an aging version of its high-volume Civic car, said sales dropped 7 percent from a year ago. Car sales declined 16.5 percent. Truck sales climbed 7.5 percent

GM said its truck sales fell 9 percent while car business tumbled 17 percent.