Analysts are predicting that the American automotive trade is set for further difficulties with the news that May will herald weak car and truck sales.

Despite a number of incentives experts are tipping May to prove problematic for the so-called 'Big Three' automakers, with some anticipating production cuts as a result.

According to Automotive News the average forecast from industry analysts puts May's sales at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of about 16 million vehicles, below April's figure of 16.4 million.

'The spring selling season continues to disappoint,' commented Merrill Lynch analyst John Casesa in a research note.

'May auto demand appears to be relatively unresponsive to continued incentive support,' he added.

The sales totals will be released on June 3rd.