U.S. Auto Sales Data for August 2009

With the Cash for Clunkers program drawing hordes of buyers, one would imagine that all car companies saw a boost in sales for the month of August. Although the entire industry enjoyed a 30 percent increase in sales, Chrysler Group LLC and General Motors Co. took it in the shorts -- again.

Chrysler sales were down 15 percent for the month and General Motors precipitously fell 20 percent. Apparently, even parlaying taxpayer-funded government giveaways hasn't helped Chrysler and GM.

Nevertheless, the Associated Press writers see the numbers as "another sign of a strengthening economy."