Light Trucks to Drag Down U.S. July Sales; Honda Has Shot at No.3

Ward’s is forecasting July U.S. light-vehicle sales at 1.24 million over 26 selling days for a daily sales rate of 47,784 units, down 12.1% from year-ago’s 54,347 (24 sales days) and a 3.42% drop from last month’s 49,386.

Summertime demand for large pickups and SUVs traditionally has bolstered Detroit auto makers’ sales in July. But with overall truck sales declining faster than the rest of the industry, fuel prices holding strong and an ever-weakening economy, fullsize truck ...