Sales stink, but smell those sweet profits: August dip is 21%, but new discipline keeps the ink black

摘要

No surprise: August's 21 percent auto sales chop, to the lowest level for the month in nearly 30 years, was dismal. Last month's numbers were dragged down by comparison with August 2009, when sales soared because of cash for clunkers. And be- cause inventories are low, carmakers didn't need to offer blockbuster incentives to clear dealer lots for the incoming 2011 models.