U.S. auto sales fell sharply in October, dampened by hurricanes, fidgety consumers and high gas prices. General Motors, Ford and Nissan reported big declines, while Toyota's U.S. sales edged up slightly, Honda's sales rose and DaimlerChrysler's sales were flat. Sport utility vehicles took the biggest hit across all makers. Sales of the Ford Explorer, Lincoln Navigator, GMC Yukon, Hummer H2 and Toyota Land Cruiser were all down 50 percent or more.
- Meanwhile, in the same part of the world, American Honda reports a fifth straight month of record sales. It's looking like 1974 all over again, when Honda introduced its fuel-efficient Honda Civic amidst the first oil crisis.