US car giants stricken as sales slump

US car sales plunged 37% in November to their worst level in more than 26 years, dashing expectations that this dismal year for vehicle demand had found a bottom, and adding more ammunition to the Detroit carmakers’ case for a congressional lifeline.

Every major carmaker reported a year-over-year sales decline of more than 30% yesterday. The Detroit manufacturers were among the worst hit, with GM’s US sales falling 41% and Chrysler LLC’s dropping 47%.