GM Reports 17% Decline in U.S. Car Sales

General Motors Corp. said its U.S. vehicle sales fell 8.1% in May, another sign that indicates consumers are turning cautious after a robust first quarter, analysts say. GM car sales fell 17% from a strong year-ago period, in part because of an assembly plant strike, while sales of minivans, pickup trucks and sport-utility vehicles rose 5.2% to their best-ever monthly pace. Industrywide, sales are expected to post a second consecutive monthly decline because of the strong first-quarter demand, strikes at GM and Chrysler Corp. and more consumer caution, analysts said. Chrysler also said that its U.S. sales fell 17% in May. Toyota Motor Corp. said sales fell 6%, its first decline this year, and Honda Motor Co. said U.S. sales rose 7.2%.