Further setbacks have been seen at the US operations of car manufacturers Ford and General Motors (GM).

As their sales in the North American market continued to falter after a dismal 2005, the companies also lost more market share to their Japanese rivals during January.

Analysts have suggested that Toyota could post a gain of around ten per cent in the US market, which is the same amount as the drop in sales expected at both Ford and GM for the first month of 2006.

Both US firms have recently announced major restructuring plans that will see them cut production in 2006 in a bid to return to profitability and US market share for Detroit's Big Three automakers – Ford, GM and the Chrysler Group – fell to 54.4 per cent in January, compared to 57 per cent in the same month last year.

"This month, compact cars and compact SUVs are selling particularly well, while sales of trucks, luxury cars and large cars are suffering," Jesse Toprak, executive director of industry analysis for Edmunds.com, told Reuters.

That trend, along with the move among consumers to look to more fuel efficient and green vehicles, has helped push Toyota's sales up, while leaving the US brands to suffer.


Ÿ Adfero Ltd