(October 2009) U.S. light-vehicle sales in September 2009 skidded 25.7% to 744,161 units from 962,097 unit sales in the same month last year, and were 41% below August 2009 delivery totals, when the government’s CARS (Cash for Clunkers) incentive program concluded.

September’s 9.3 million-unit seasonally adjusted annual sales rate (SAAR) likely was the second-lowest monthly sales pace this year after February’s 9.1 million-unit SAAR, according to the J.D. Power and Associates Sales Report.

A few September sales highlights:

(October 3, 2009) Japanese car maker Nissan has revealed new sketches of its global compact car model that will be manufactured in five different countries including its Chennai facility in India.

(October 2, 2009) South Korean automaker Hyundai/Kia was the clear U.S. sales winner in September. And two of the three U.S. automakers turned in dismal sales results, comparing September 2009 with September 2008.

The Hyundai group was up an amazing 26 percent compared to 2008 with sales of 96,626.

Ford continued its recent success, down just 5 percent from last year, easily gaining market share over General Motors, which was down a whopping 45 percent, Chrysler, and its major Japanese rivals.

(September 30, 2009) Toyota has issued a safety recall for 3.8 million Lexus and Toyota cars because of potentially deadly floor mats.

In statements released Tuesday, the world's largest automaker and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration warned drivers to remove the mats or risk a forced-down accelerator pedal that could lead to a fatal crash.

The seven models being recalled could potentially have removable mats that would interfere with the pedal and cause it to stick.