Slow Recovery for U.S. Auto Sales

Compact cars see the biggest jump

U.S. auto sales continued to show a slow but steady recovery in August, as all three Detroit automakers and Toyota Motor Corp reported gains that outstripped analyst expectations.

General Motors Co posted a 10 percent jump, as higher gasoline prices spurred sales of compact cars including GM's Cruze. Average U.S. gasoline prices rose 21 cents a gallon in the past month.