Honda's U.S. Auto Sales Down 9.9% in September

       By John Kell 

    Honda Motor Co.'s (HMC, 7267.TO) U.S. vehicle sales slid 9.9% from a year earlier, due to relatively even declines in sales of the Japanese company's cars and trucks.

    Auto makers have broadly reported tepid monthly sales due to an early Labor Day weekend that shifted some demand to August. But many observers and executives say the industry's sales pace is still strong, bolstered by rising activity in the home-building and energy sectors, as well as low interest rates and slow-but-steady job growth.

    Overall, Honda sold 105,563 vehicles in the U.S. last month, down from 117,211 in the prior year and falling 37% sequentially.

    Honda division sales were down 8.7%, hurt by declines for the Fit, Accord and CR-Z, while the Civic notched an increase. Sales were also weaker for the Odyssey, CR-V and Crosstour. The smaller luxury Acura division's sales slid 19%.

    Total car sales fell 9.4%, while truck sales slid 11%.

    September had 23 selling days, two fewer than a year ago.

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